Grand Haven murder suicide left wife and 6 children dead, authorities say
Authorities said Kristopher Karolkiewicz shot his wife and six children, set their Michigan home on fire and then killed himself.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
A Grand Haven murder suicide left a Michigan woman and six children dead after authorities say her husband shot the family, set their home on fire and then killed himself.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Jake Sparks said Monday that Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, killed his wife, Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39, and their six children, who ranged in age from 5 to 15.
First responders went to the family’s home in Grand Haven Township late Friday morning after neighbors reported a fire, Sparks said at a news conference. The community is on the eastern side of Lake Michigan.
Autopsies showed that all eight victims had been shot, Sparks said. Investigators found the bodies in separate bedrooms after police and firefighters arrived at about 11:42 a.m., according to Sparks.
What happened in the Grand Haven murder suicide?
Sparks said the investigation indicates the killings happened before the fire was set. He described the case as a murder-suicide and said authorities believe the blaze was started after the shootings.
Investigators think the fire was deliberately ignited in several places inside the home, Sparks said. He also said the violence may have begun the night before and continued into Friday morning because there had been earlier reports of a smoke smell in the area.
The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit and a state police dog assisted the sheriff’s office, State Police Lt. Pat Agema said by email.
Sparks said investigators believe Karolkiewicz used a registered handgun in the attack. He did not say whether authorities recovered a firearm from the fire-damaged house.
Four of the children were the couple’s biological children, Sparks said. Two 11-year-old girls had been adopted, he said. Authorities did not release the children’s names.
Who was Amanda Karolkiewicz?
Amanda Karolkiewicz was a substitute teacher, children’s book author and advocate for children with special needs, NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit reported.
Her parents told WDIV that their daughter, whom they called Mandy, was a kind and devoted person who loved her family and her students. They said they treasured their time with her and the children and were devastated.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools recognized Amanda Karolkiewicz this year as a dedicated substitute teacher who put her heart into her work, WDIV reported.
No additional motive was reported by authorities Monday. The sheriff’s office framed the case as an ongoing investigation, with state fire investigators helping examine the house and the sequence of events.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Additional resources are available at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.