(This story is being updated as information becomes available)
A body believed to be that of Karen Solomon was found in the woods near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Monday afternoon, bringing the nearly weeklong search for the Worcester woman wanted in connection with the death of her husband, Worcester police officer Kurt Solomon, to an apparent end.
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said during a Monday afternoon news conference that two people who work at Fairlawn discovered the body while walking in the woods and notified authorities.
“We believe this person to be Karen Solomon,” Saucier said.
Police also recovered a handgun near the body, Saucier said. He said the weapon was not a Worcester Police Department-issued firearm.
Authorities had not yet formally confirmed the identity of the body as Solomon as of Monday afternoon. The discovery prompted a heavy police presence at Fairlawn on May Street, where officers restricted access to the property and reporters gathered in a lower parking area.
The discovery came six days after Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department, was found dead at the Wildwood Avenue home he shared with Karen Solomon. Authorities had searched extensively for Karen Solomon since Tuesday morning, concentrating much of their effort around Coes Pond and repeatedly warning that she should be considered armed and dangerous.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Karen Solomon on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Saucier said Friday that Kurt Solomon had suffered fatal injuries involving a sharp object.
The development comes nearly a week after Kurt Solomon, 57, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department, was found dead early Tuesday morning at the Wildwood Avenue home he shared with Karen Solomon.
The search for Solomon, 58, stretched across several areas of Worcester, with investigators concentrating heavily on the Coes Pond and Mill Street area in recent days. Search crews have used divers, police dogs, drones and other resources as local, state and federal authorities worked to locate her.
As recently as Monday morning, authorities were continuing to search for Solomon, who police have repeatedly warned should be considered armed and dangerous.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Solomon on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Police Chief Paul Saucier disclosed the warrant Friday during an update on the investigation.
Authorities have said Kurt Solomon suffered fatal injuries from a sharp object. His service weapon was found inside the Wildwood Avenue residence, according to information released by police.
Karen Solomon was captured on surveillance video walking away from the area of the couple’s home early Tuesday, shortly before police arrived and found her husband dead. Police subsequently released video and photographs of Solomon as the search expanded.
The investigation triggered an extensive multi-agency response involving Worcester police, Massachusetts State Police and several federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service.
Much of the search had centered on Coes Pond and surrounding wooded areas. Worcester officials closed Coes Pond parks and Stearns Tavern on Friday as investigators searched the area, and crews continued combing the area through the weekend.
Solomon is the founder of First H.E.L.P., a nonprofit organization focused on reducing mental health stigma among first responders and supporting officers and families affected by suicide.
First H.E.L.P. acknowledged the investigation last week and expressed condolences following Kurt Solomon’s death, while saying the organization would continue its work and would not comment on the specifics of the active investigation.
Kurt Solomon was remembered by fellow officers and the New England Police Benevolent Association as a longtime patrol officer who had served Worcester for more than three decades.
The police activity near Fairlawn Monday represents the latest development in a search that has now continued for nearly a week.
This is a developing story. The Worcester Guardian will update it as additional information is confirmed.
