Michigan father identified as suspect in murder-suicide of family, fire deemed arson
Authorities say Kristopher Karolkiewicz killed his wife and six children before setting their Grand Haven Township home ablaze, resulting in eight deaths.
Eight people, including six children, were found dead in a Grand Haven Township house on Friday after a fire was reported, officials said. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office identified the adults as 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz and his 39-year-old wife, Amanda Karolkiewicz. All victims had gunshot wounds, and investigators consider the incident a murder-suicide.
The sheriff’s office named Kristopher Karolkiewicz as the suspect who allegedly shot his wife and children before igniting the residence. Preliminary findings from Michigan State Police arson investigators indicate the fire was intentionally set in multiple locations inside the home. The family’s pets also perished in the blaze.
The fire department first responded to reports of smoke between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., but did not locate a blaze. A second call at about 11:45 a.m. led firefighters back to the address, where they observed heavy smoke emanating from the windows.
Karolkiewicz had been employed by the American Heart Association until early July, serving as a national vice president of sales and marketing, according to a spokesperson. The organization expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
No additional suspects have been identified, and the investigation remains ongoing.