Ottawa County man killed wife and six children in murder-suicide after leaving job
Investigators say 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz ended his employment weeks before a murder-suicide that left his wife and six children dead in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Ottawa County investigators have identified Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, as the suspect in a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of his wife, Amanda "Mandy" Karolkiewicz, 39, and their six children in Grand Haven Township. The family was found dead inside a burning home on Riverside Trail on Friday, and forensic autopsies confirmed that all eight victims died from gunshot wounds.
Karolkiewicz had been employed by the American Heart Association from September 2023 until July 2026, serving as national vice president of sales and marketing for its CPR and first-aid division. The organization said he worked remotely and had no prior criminal record.
"As an organization with professional staff who are dedicated to helping others, we are devastated by the news out of Grand Haven, and our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy," the American Heart Association statement read.
Capt. Jake Sparks of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said the weapon used was registered to Karolkiewicz and that investigators believe he killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Michigan State Police arson investigators are examining the fire, which appears to have been set deliberately in multiple locations after the killings.
The victims included four boys—ages 15, 12, 11 and 5—and two 11-year-old girls; four children were biological and two were adopted. Family pets also perished in the blaze. Grand Haven Area Public Schools announced support services for the community, noting that the district was not in session at the time.
Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or the Silent Observer tip line.