WORCESTER, Mass. — Karen Solomon was found dead in her home Tuesday. The wife of a veteran Worcester police officer. Officials released video Thursday showing her final 48 hours.
The footage contradicts initial assumptions. It does not show a struggle. It does not show a third party entering the residence.
It shows a woman alone.
The Video: A Timeline Emerges
Worcester officials released the surveillance footage Wednesday night. The Boston Globe obtained a copy. The video captures Solomon’s movements between Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
She is seen leaving the house at 9:14 AM Sunday. She returns at 11:47 AM carrying groceries. She does not leave again.
Windows show lights flickering on and off. The kitchen light turns on at 6:22 PM. It turns off at 7:03 PM. Then the living room light. On at 7:15 PM. Off at 9:41 PM.
The upstairs bathroom light goes on at 10:58 PM. It stays on for 41 minutes.
She was alive at 11:39 PM Sunday. That is the last confirmed sighting.
The 48-Hour Countdown
The video creates more questions than answers.
Phone records obtained by WHDH show Solomon’s last outgoing call was Sunday at 4:47 PM. A 23-second call to a local pharmacy. Her last text message was sent at 9:12 PM Sunday. Recipient: her husband, Officer Michael Solomon. Content: “Good night. Love you.”
He was on duty. He responded: “Love you too. See you in the morning.”
He returned home Tuesday at 2:30 PM. He found her unresponsive in the upstairs bedroom. He called 911 at 2:34 PM. She was pronounced dead at 2:47 PM.
The medical examiner has not released a cause of death. An autopsy was conducted Thursday. Results are pending toxicology analysis.
Friends in Disbelief
Those who knew Karen Solomon describe a woman who was “vibrant” and “devoted.” WCVB spoke with three of her close friends Thursday.
“She was the last person you’d expect this to happen to,” said Sarah Mitchell, a neighbor. “She was planning a garden party for next weekend. We were supposed to go shopping Friday.”
Another friend, Jennifer Reyes, said Solomon had been “in good spirits” at a community event the previous Wednesday. She was seen laughing. She was seen dancing.
“She was not someone who was struggling,” Reyes said. “This doesn’t make sense.”
The Investigation
Worcester Police have not named a suspect. They have not confirmed whether they are treating the case as a homicide.
The department initially said they were “searching for a woman in connection with the death.” That phrasing appeared in a WHDH report Tuesday evening. Officials have since clarified that they were searching for Solomon herself before her body was found.
Officer Michael Solomon has been placed on administrative leave. Standard protocol. He has not been named as a person of interest.
The police union released a statement Thursday afternoon: “Officer Solomon is a respected 18-year veteran of the force. He is grieving. We ask for privacy.”
What the Video Does Not Show
The footage has limitations.
There is no camera covering the back door. There is no camera covering the garage. There is a 27-minute gap in coverage between 3:12 AM and 3:39 AM Monday when the system briefly went offline.
Investigators are examining whether that gap is significant. They are also analyzing Solomon’s computer and tablet. They are reviewing her social media activity.
| Evidence Item | Status | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance video (front door) | Released to public | Shows no third-party entry |
| Phone records | Under review | Last contact Sunday 9:12 PM |
| Autopsy | Completed; results pending | Cause of death not yet determined |
| Video system gap | Under investigation | 27-minute offline window Monday |
| Computer/tablet | Forensic analysis | Search history, messages under review |
Community Response
A vigil is planned for Friday evening at Worcester Common. Organizers expect several hundred attendees.
Local officials are facing pressure. City Councilor Kathleen Toomey issued a statement Thursday: “The release of this video is a step toward transparency. We need full disclosure of all evidence.”
Social media has amplified the case. The hashtag #JusticeForKarenSolomon has been used more than 12,000 times since Wednesday.
Looking Ahead
Investigators expect toxicology results within three to six weeks. They are interviewing neighbors. They are canvassing the area for additional surveillance footage from nearby homes.
A press conference is scheduled for Friday at 10:00 AM. Officials say they will provide “an update on the status of the investigation.”
They have not said whether they will release additional video.
The Larger Context
The case has reignited conversations about domestic violence within police families. Data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence shows that 1 in 4 women experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime. The rate is not lower among law enforcement families.
But there is no evidence of prior incidents involving the Solomons. Records show no domestic disturbance calls to their address. No protective orders. No complaints.
Officer Solomon remains on leave. His colleagues have rallied around him. A fund has been established for funeral expenses. It has raised $47,000 in two days.
Karen Solomon was 44 years old. She worked as a dental hygienist. She volunteered at a local animal shelter. She had been married to Michael Solomon for 12 years.
The investigation continues.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What does the newly released video show about Karen Solomon’s final 48 hours?
- A: The video shows Karen Solomon leaving her home Sunday morning, returning with groceries, and never leaving again. It captures lights turning on and off, with her last confirmed sighting at 11:39 PM Sunday. No struggle or third party is visible.
- Q: What were Karen Solomon’s last communications before her death?
- A: Her last outgoing call was Sunday at 4:47 PM to a pharmacy, lasting 23 seconds. Her final text, sent at 9:12 PM Sunday to her husband, read ‘Good night. Love you.’ He responded, ‘Love you too. See you in the morning.’
- Q: How was Karen Solomon found dead?
- A: Her husband, Officer Michael Solomon, returned home Tuesday at 2:30 PM and found her unresponsive in the upstairs bedroom. He called 911 at that time.
Extended Reading
For ongoing coverage, refer to the original reports from the Boston Globe, WCVB, and WHDH. These sources have published the initial video release, friend interviews, and official statements from the Worcester Police Department.