By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER, Mass. — A massive search involving local, state and federal authorities continued Wednesday for a 58-year-old woman wanted in connection with the death of an off-duty Worcester police officer found dead at a home on Wildwood Avenue.
Worcester Police are searching for Karen Solomon, who authorities believe may be armed.
The officer was identified by Worcester Police union president Thomas Duffy as Patrolman Kurt Solomon, 57, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department.
Kurt Solomon was found dead in the backyard of the Wildwood Avenue residence early Tuesday morning.
He leaves behind two adult sons.
Police have described the case as a domestic matter but have not publicly described the relationship between Karen Solomon and Kurt Solomon in the information provided.
By Wednesday, the search had intensified.
Worcester Police released new video and a photograph of Karen Solomon as investigators continued trying to determine where she went after leaving the area.
“The Worcester Police Department is still actively searching for her and continues to believe she is armed,” Worcester Police said.
The newly released video appears to show Karen Solomon outside the Westside Animal Clinic on Mill Street just before 6 a.m. Tuesday.
In the footage, she appears to have her hair pulled into a ponytail and is wearing flip-flops.
Police previously described Solomon as a 58-year-old white woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes who was last seen wearing pajama shorts and a tank top.
Authorities said she had been seen on foot walking toward Westcott Street.
Police are warning the public not to approach her.
The search stretched through the night Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.
Two Worcester Police cruisers were positioned at the Westside Animal Clinic, and the area was blocked with yellow police tape.
On Wednesday, Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police dive teams searched the Coes Reservoir behind the animal clinic.
State and Environmental Police cleared the reservoir area late Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities have not said what, if anything, was recovered during that search.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said on Tuesday multiple levels of law enforcement were working together as the search continued.
“You got a person in the neighborhood, in the area, presumed to be armed and dangerous. You want to do everything you can to find that person as quickly as possible, and also find out exactly what happened at the house that evening,” Early said.
The circumstances surrounding Kurt Solomon’s death have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
Early also acknowledged limitations on what authorities could discuss publicly about the investigation.
“I can’t get into too much of it with regards to our domestic violence rules and regulations,” Early said.
Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier and Early said local, state and federal agencies were participating in the search.
While investigators work to determine what happened at the Wildwood Avenue home, Karen Solomon’s background has added another dimension to the case.
Solomon is the co-founder of First H.E.L.P., an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of mental health challenges within the first responder community.
The organization responded to the developing investigation with a statement focused on the officer, his family and the Worcester law enforcement community.
“Our first concern is for the officer who lost his life, his family, his colleagues, and the Worcester law-enforcement community. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.”
First H.E.L.P. also said its board of directors “is focused on maintaining the continuity, integrity, and independence of First H.E.L.P.’s mission, programs, and services to the first-responder community and the families we serve.”
The search now centers on finding Karen Solomon while investigators simultaneously work to establish exactly what occurred at the residence.
Police have circulated her photograph and video and have been distributing information about her to people in the area.
Authorities continue to consider her potentially armed and dangerous.
The public is being urged to remain vigilant.
Anyone who sees Karen Solomon should not approach her and should immediately contact law enforcement.
Worcester Police Dispatch can be reached at 508-799-8606. The Detective Bureau can be reached at 508-799-8651.
Anonymous information can also be submitted by texting TIPWPD and a message to 274637.
For investigators, two urgent questions remain at the center of the case.
What happened at the Wildwood Avenue home?
And where is Karen Solomon now?
Until authorities find her, the search continues.
___________________________
Laura Soukkavong, Dylan Azari, and DeJaune Jones contributed to this story.