Kristopher Karolkiewicz, Grand Haven Township, Michigan dad shot and killed his wife and six children in murder-suicide investigators say. No known motive, but previous family tragedies provide clues.
A Michigan married father is alleged to have shot and his wife and their six children before setting their home on fire last week.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz shot and killed his wife and six children in their $750,000 Grand Haven Township home, where investigators believe he also set several fires.
All eight family members died from gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff’s office, which ruled the deaths of Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39, and the children homicides.
Grand Haven Township dad pulls trigger, killing wife & 6 kids then self before setting fires to family home
The children ranging in ages from 5 to 15 were identified as Keegan, Bennett, Caroline, Ella, Smith, and Teddy Karolkiewicz. Four were boys ages 15, 12, 11, and 5; and the two girls were both 11 years old. Two of the children had been adopted, officials said.
Amanda and Kristopher were wed in 2009.
The family was found Friday after firefighters responded to smoke coming from the family home on Riverside Trail.
Investigators initially said some of the people had been shot, but on Monday the sheriff’s office said all eight had gunshot wounds.
No other suspects are believed to be involved, the sheriff’s office said, and Michigan State Police arson investigators are examining how the fires were started. All of the family’s pets died because of smoke from the fires.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools said it is providing support for students and staff affected by the deaths.
Amanda worked as a substitute teacher for Grand Haven Area Public Schools and was honored by the district in a social media post in January.
Previous family tragedies provide clues
Investigators declined to say what may have motivated the father. Nevertheless speculation remained that the father may have been motivated by two family tragedies before the family died.
Amanda’s parents, Becky and Steve Lawwill, lost a son, Allston Lawwill, six years ago to an accidental fentanyl overdose.
Allston, 28, started using cocaine and opioids during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly became addicted, WSYM-TV reported.
Just months after, Allston was living in Lansing without his wife, Kassandra, and their three children. He was found dead on November 25, 2020, three days after he died and had his last known communication with his wife.
Amanda and Allston also had a second ‘baby brother’ called Dillan, who died, according to a family fundraising page. Further details on that tragedy have not been shared.
