Karen Solomon's Body Found 0.6 Miles From Coes Pond With Handgun Nearby

Q: Why was a handgun found near the wife's body when the slain officer's fatal injuries reportedly involved a sharp object?

There is no confirmed contradiction at this point. Police have said Kurt Solomon’s fatal injuries involved a sharp object, but that does not rule out Karen Solomon also possessing or later obtaining a handgun. Authorities had already warned during the search that Karen Solomon should be considered “armed and dangerous,” even though Kurt Solomon’s service weapon was found at the home and was not missing. After the body believed to be Karen Solomon was found, Worcester police said the handgun recovered nearby was not a Worcester Police Department-issued firearm. That suggests it was a separate weapon, not necessarily connected to Kurt Solomon’s fatal injuries. Based on what has been released publicly, the handgun could have been carried for protection while she was missing, could be relevant to how she died, or could simply be additional evidence investigators are now examining. Police have not said whether the gun was fired, whether it belonged to Karen Solomon, or whether it had any role in Kurt Solomon’s death. The key point is that investigators have disclosed only limited details because the case remains active and is being handled under domestic-violence-related privacy restrictions. Until the medical examiner and police release more findings, the presence of a handgun near her body should be viewed as a separate evidentiary detail, not proof that the officer was killed by a gun.

3 articles · Updated · NBC Boston · Aug 24

Two rehabilitation hospital workers spotted a body in woods near Coes Pond at 12:49 p.m. Monday, leading Worcester investigators to remains believed to be Karen Solomon's and a handgun nearby.
Police Chief Paul Saucier said the medical examiner still must confirm the identity, but investigators now believe the case was a murder-suicide tied to the death of Worcester Officer Kurt Solomon.
The body was found about 0.6 miles from where Karen Solomon entered the water, in an area the search was expected to reach as crews expanded a roughly 90-acre operation in concentric circles.
Karen Solomon had been sought for nearly a week after Kurt Solomon was found dead with injuries involving a sharp object; a wake is set for Tuesday and a funeral for Wednesday.