New details have been released in the murder-suicide of an eight-member family in Grand Haven Township, including a timeline for the purchase of the murder weapon, how three of the family’s dogs died, and where the gunshot wounds were located.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, shot and killed his wife Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz and their children before setting fire to the family’s home and turning the gun on himself July 24. The sheriff’s office didn’t identify the children, though relatives have confirmed they were Keegan, Bennett, Caroline, Ella, Smith and Teddy, ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old.
A number of family pets also perished in the smoke and flames. The bodies of three dogs were found muzzled in crates, according to reporting by WOOD TV-8.
When firefighters responded to the family’s home, there was heavy smoke pouring from the building. All eight family members were found dead inside, most in bedrooms and all with gunshot wounds, according to Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jacob Sparks.
The family’s death certificates, reported on by WZZM 13, indicate all eight family members were shot in the head. An incident report from the Michigan State Police, reported on by WOOD TV-8, said Mandy and Kristopher were found in their master bedroom — a pistol still partially in the latter’s hand.
Mandy was covered in blankets and had a pillow over her head. OCSO previously confirmed she likely died before the children.
According to reports from WZZM, The Guardian and The Independent, Kristopher was a vice president of sales and marketing with the American Heart Association for several years, but his “employment ended” in July. A statement from the AHA confirmed Kristopher worked in a remote position, but didn’t address why his tenure with the organization ended.
WOOD TV-8 reported Kristopher had purchased the handgun on July 16, about eight days before the murders.
The report from the MSP Fire Investigation Unit, also covered by WOOD TV 8, indicated the fire had multiple points of origin, including each of the children’s bedrooms, a closet under the stairs and a storage room. A red plastic gasoline can was found in the kitchen.
“The cause of the fire is incendiary in nature,” the report reads, according to WOOD TV-8. “The suspect utilized gasoline, paper towels and other combustible materials, (which) he ignited using an open-flame device such as a lighter.”
According to the report, multiple smoke alarms in the home had been removed. Mandy had only recently insured the home July 21.
A public memorial service for the murder victims is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 24 at Harvest Vertical Church, 12900 US-31 in Grand Haven.
The family requests that no photos, audio or video be taken anywhere on the church grounds, including the parking lot. A livestream will be available for media and those unable to attend in person through Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
Full service arrangements and details on how to contribute to the Mandy Karolkiewicz Family Foundation are available at sytsemafh.com/upcoming-services.
— Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel
ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com
X: @cassideykava.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Numerous disturbing updates shared in murder-suicide of Karolkiewiczs
Reporting by Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
