Police say mother may have died before children in Michigan family murder-suicide
Authorities in Michigan say evidence suggests the mother was killed before her six children in a July 24 murder-suicide that also claimed the father's life and several pets.
Police investigators say the mother in a Michigan family murder-suicide likely died before her six children. Ottawa Sheriff’s Office Captain Jacob Sparks told a local news outlet that autopsy findings and other evidence indicate the mother, Amanda Karolkiewicz, "likely died earlier than the children." The death certificate lists her date of death as "on or after" July 23, while the injury date is recorded as July 24. All six children – ages 5 to 15 – and the father, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, died on July 24, according to the certificates.
The family was found shot in the head in separate bedrooms of their Grand Haven home. The father then set the house on fire, killing at least three dogs and a cat in the blaze. Officials said the exact timeline of the killings is still being determined, and the times of death are marked as "unknown" on the documents.
Karolkiewicz, a substitute teacher and author of a children's book, had posted on Reddit alleging marital problems, including claims of her husband's infidelity. The posts were verified by local media but have not been linked to the motive for the killings.
The Ottawa Sheriff’s Office has not responded to further comment requests.