KAREN SOLOMON FOUND DEAD AFTER WEEK-LONG SEARCH — POLICE CALL CASE A TRAGIC MURDER-SUICIDE

The week-long search for Karen Solomon, the Massachusetts woman wanted in connection with the death of her husband, has ended with a devastating discovery.

Worcester police said Monday that a body found in a wooded area near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital is believed to be Karen Solomon, 58. A handgun was reportedly found nearby.

THE SEARCH THAT FOLLOWED KURT SOLOMON’S DEATH

Karen became the focus of a major investigation after her husband, Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon, 57, was found dead at their home on August 18.

Police had issued an arrest warrant charging Karen with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Investigators had also warned that she could be armed and dangerous.

Surveillance footage showed Karen walking away from the area shortly after officers responded to the home.

Authorities subsequently launched an extensive search involving police officers, tracking dogs, drones and other resources, with particular attention focused around Coes Pond.

 POLICE BELIEVE THE TWO DEATHS ARE CONNECTED

Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said investigators believe the case was a “tragic murder-suicide.”

Authorities have not released every detail surrounding Kurt’s death, but investigators previously said he suffered an injury involving a sharp object.

A handgun was found near the body believed to be Karen’s, but police said it was not Kurt Solomon’s service weapon.

Police also said there was no known history of domestic abuse involving the couple.

A WOMAN KNOWN FOR HELPING FIRST RESPONDERS

Karen’s public life makes the case particularly striking.

She co-founded First H.E.L.P., an organization focused on supporting law-enforcement officers and other first responders dealing with mental-health challenges and suicide prevention. She was also an author and advocate for first-responder families.

Kurt Solomon had served with the Worcester Police Department for 31 years and was remembered as a longtime member of the department and father of two.

 FROM MANHUNT TO TRAGEDY

What began with the discovery of a veteran police officer inside his home quickly became a multi-day search for his wife.

Now, investigators believe both Karen and Kurt are dead.

But authorities still have work to do to reconstruct the complete timeline and establish exactly what happened inside the Solomon home before Karen disappeared.

A respected police veteran. A first-responder mental-health advocate. A quiet Massachusetts neighborhood — and a case that ended in tragedy.

The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the final hours of Kurt and Karen Solomon.