OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. – The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office has released new information on Monday about what they believe unfolded inside a Grand Haven Township home over the weekend.
Police previously called the fire that killed a family of 8 – including 6 children -- “suspicious.” Investigators say the case is being treated as a murder-suicide.
The deaths of Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, 39, and six children were ruled homicides, while 47-year-old Kristopher “Kris” Karolkiewicz’s death was ruled a suicide, police said.
Capt. Jake Sparks said after forensic autopsies were completed at Corewell Health–Blodgett, they’ve concluded that Kris Karolkiewicz killed his wife and six children before taking his own life. They said all eight deaths were caused by gunshot wounds.
Kris Karolkiewicz and Mandy Karolkiewicz were married and had four boys, ages 15, 12, 11 and 5, along with two girls, both 11. Four of the children were biological, and two were adopted, police said.
Firefighters and deputies said they were called to a house fire Friday morning on Riverside Trail. But when first responders went in to try to fight the blaze, they said they found the family dead inside.
Michigan State Police arson investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire and origin, but Sparks said preliminary information shows it was intentionally set in numerous places inside the home. Police also said the fire was started after the killings. Family pets also died due to fire and smoke.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Superintendent Kristin Perkowski is calling the tragedy “a devastating incident.”
In a post from earlier this year, Grand Haven Public Schools recognized Mandy Karolkiewicz as “a Premier Substitute Teacher at Peach Plains,” saying that she “goes above and beyond for students, especially when they’re having a hard day.” The school said that she responds with “empathy, patience, and care,” and “pours her heart into her work.”
After the shooting and fire, Perkowski sent a letter to families of the Grand Haven community.
“Regardless of the details that may emerge, this is a devastating incident and a tragic loss for our community,” Perkowski said, in part. “Our team is preparing to deploy support for those who may need it. Although school is not currently in session, we will be ready to respond if and when additional information becomes available.”
“We ask everyone to respect the privacy of those involved and avoid speculation or sharing information that has not been officially confirmed,” Perkowski said. “Please continue to care for yourselves and one another as our community processes this news together.”
“Our daughter Mandy was a kind and devoted soul who loved her family and her students. We treasured every moment we had with her and her six children, and words cannot adequately express our devastation. We pray for God’s peace and comfort as we grieve their deaths and honor their lives. We ask that the media give our family space in the weeks and months ahead, and that they respect the privacy of all who loved Mandy and the children.”
Steve and Becky Lawwill, Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz's parents