Relatives have identified a couple found dead along with six children in their Ottawa County home Friday after authorities were summoned to a blaze at the home.
The couple was identified as Mandy Karolkiewicz, 39, and Kris Karolkiewicz, 47, by Steve Lawwill, Mandy’s stepfather. Lawwill said he and his wife are waiting for autopsy results for the rest of the family and a statement by a police captain before giving interviews.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Jake Sparks told the media Friday that firefighters and investigators entered a smoke-filled home on the 14900 block of Riverside Trail in Grand Haven Township, where they found eight people dead. They include two adults and six children, ages 5 to 15.
Some had gunshot wounds, Sparks said. Investigators have been working to determine the causes of death of the family.
Molly Cessna, Mandy Karolkiewicz’s sister, shared a link to a news story about the incident on Facebook and wrote: “My little sister Mandy, her husband, and my six nieces and nephews.”
She wrote that everything’s “just blurry” and asked people to continue to pray.
“Our hearts are utterly shattered,” she said on Facebook. “Tragic doesn’t even touch it.”
Mandy Karolkiewicz appeared to have been recognized in a Facebook post by Grand Haven Area Public Schools in January.
“This year, our staff have been able to submit shoutouts for what we call Gold Standard Moments — recognizing the impact they see in their fellow Buccaneer colleagues across the district,” the district said. “One of those moments shines a spotlight on Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, a Premier Substitute Teacher at Peach Plains.”
The district included a quote, which said that Karolkiewicz went “above and beyond for students, especially when they’re having a hard day, responding with empathy, patience, and care.”
“She pours her heart into her work, is always willing to help wherever needed, and helps make Peach Plains a better place to learn and work,” the post continued.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools said it would provide grief support resources for the community.
“Regardless of the details that may emerge, this is a devastating incident and a tragic loss for our community,” Superintendent Kristin Perkowski said in a letter to the district Friday. “Our hearts are with all those impacted, and we know many throughout our community may be grieving and struggling to process this news.”
On Friday, the scene in the neighborhood along Riverside Trail in Grand Haven Township was “unlike anything” Mark Brininstool had seen in the almost 24 years his family has lived in their home a few doors down from where the fire occurred, he told USA TODAY.
The neighborhood is off the beaten path but was “flipped on its edge yesterday,” he said.
For Brininstool, it was also a moment for reflection.
A lot of families in the community kind of keep to themselves other than waving as they walk by, including his own, he said. “Maybe if we can take something from this, you know, that’s to be intentional about trying to get to know one another better. I know I’m going to be intentional where possible and double down on those efforts.”
asnabes@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Couple found dead in west Michigan home identified by relatives
Reporting by Anne Snabes, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Anne Snabes, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
