Authorities searched for Karen Solomon, 58, after a Worcester police officer was found dead at the home they shared. Police released doorbell-camera footage and said Solomon was believed to be armed; flyers with her photo were distributed as local, state and federal agencies joined the search. The officer was identified by the police union as Kurt Solomon, a 31-year department veteran. Solomon is a co-founder of First H.E.L.P. and the author of two books about first-responder mental health.
Woman Sought After Worcester Officer Found Dead Co-Founded First-Responder Mental-Health Group
This screengrab made from video provided by WCVB-TV shows a police officer standing guard over a home in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. ( - WCVB-TV/AP
Authorities on Wednesday issued a public alert for Karen Solomon, 58, after a Worcester police officer was found dead at the house she owned with him. Police said Solomon was believed to be armed and released doorbell-camera footage showing her leaving the home early Tuesday morning, only minutes after officers initially responded to a call at the residence.
Investigation Under Way
Worcester County investigators said they want to speak with Solomon about the circumstances surrounding the officer's death but have not publicly accused her of a crime. The Worcester Police Department and the district attorney confirmed the search involved local, state and federal partners, and officers distributed flyers with Solomon's photograph in the area.
"When you serve 31 years with an individual, you become more than coworkers. You become family, and today we lost a member of our family,"
— Thomas Duffy, President of the Worcester Police Union, referring to the slain officer.
The union identified the deceased officer as Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the department. Public records show the Solomons jointly owned the residence and that Kurt Solomon named Karen Solomon as his wife in a 2016 bankruptcy filing. Officials declined to discuss the couple's current relationship status, citing domestic violence privacy protections.
Community And Organizational Response
Karen Solomon is a co-founder of First H.E.L.P., an organization that says it supports the mental health of first responders, honors those who have died by suicide, and seeks to reduce stigma around seeking help. In a statement, First H.E.L.P. expressed condolences to the officer's family, colleagues and the broader Worcester law-enforcement community.
An author biography on Amazon lists Solomon as the author of two books about first responders' physical and psychological experiences, including "Hearts Beneath the Badge" and "The Price They Pay." Investigators emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that they are seeking information from anyone who may have seen Solomon after the early-morning footage was recorded.
Note: The facts reported here reflect information released by law-enforcement officials and public records; the investigation is active and details may change as authorities provide updates.
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