GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 29: A makeshift memorial of flowers sits on the street next to police tape near the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Michigan following a shooting and fire at on September 29, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The suspect crashed his vehicle into the church on the morning of September 28, started shooting and set the church on fire. At least four people were killed and eight wounded. The gunman was killed by police. (Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images)
A Michigan man shot and killed his wife and their six children in an apparent murder-suicide. In addition, Kristopher Karolkiewicz reportedly set the house on fire after murdering his family.
Ottawa County Sheriffs Office Capt. Jacob Sparks said during a press conference on Monday, July 27, that firefighters responded to reports of smoke on Friday, July 24, per WOODTV.
Firefighters arrived at a home on Riverside Trail near 148th Avenue and Mercury Drive in Grand Haven Township at around 8:30 a.m. However, no fire was detected, and the firefighters left, only to return at approximately 11:40 a.m.
As flames were put out, the bodies of 39-year-old Mandy Karolkiewicz, a 5-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy, and two 11-year-old adopted girls were found inside the home (the two 11-year-old girls were adopted).
The investigation shows that this was a murder-suicide, with a fire being started after the murders, deputies noted in a press release.
Additionally, Captain Sparks noted the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy.”
“This is an unspeakable tragedy that we may never completely understand why it happened. But we will do our best to find the answers and to honor the memory of those victims,” he said.
The authorities believe that Karolkiewicz, 47, shot and killed his wife and their six children before he set the home on fire and shot himself dead. Multiple pets also died in the fire, including several dogs and one cat.
Karolkiewicz reportedly worked remotely as a national vice president of sales and marketing for the American Heart Association. However, the AHA confirmed that he was employed from September 2023. However, his employment ended earlier this month for an undisclosed reason, per News 8.
The police are still investigating the murder-suicide, which Sparks said will be “thorough, detailed, complete.”
Were trying to get answers for the family. Were trying to get answers for the community. Were trying to get answers for our own responders. And the only way to get those answers is to do a full, fair, thorough, detailed, complete investigation, he said. That takes some time.
According to WZZM13, a family friend said that Karolkiewicz had been fired from the American Heart Association several weeks before the murder-suicide.
In addition, the company noted that his “employment ended” in July of this year. Mandy worked at Grand Haven Area Schools as a substitute teacher.
“Mandy goes above and beyond for students, especially when theyre having a hard day, responding with empathy, patience, and care,” read a post on Facebook from January. “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.”
