A Michigan house fire that left a family of eight dead, including six children, is now under investigation as a suspicious blaze and a possible murder-suicide, as devastated relatives publicly identified the victims.
Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, 39, her husband Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, and their six children, who ranged in age from 5 to 15, were found dead inside their Grand Haven Township home around noon Friday, according to family members.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the county medical examiner’s office have not yet formally confirmed the deaths.
Investigators said some of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, though officials have not disclosed which family members were shot.
Authorities are examining whether the tragedy may have been a murder-suicide, but officials have cautioned that it remains too early to make any final determination.
Police are not seeking any outside suspects in connection with the deaths, NBC reported.
“My little sister Mandy, her husband, and my six nieces and nephews,” Mandy’s sister, Molly Cessna, wrote on Facebook while sharing an article about the devastating incident.
“Everything’s just blurry. Please continue to pray, friends. please continue to pray as we try and piece everything together. Our hearts are utterly shattered. Tragic doesn’t even touch it.”
Karoliewicz’s parents, Steve and Becky Lawwill, also shared a heartbreaking post — a smiling family photo on the beach.
“So grateful for the joy they brought into our life. We are just so shattered,” they wrote.
Karolkiewicz was a beloved substitute teacher for Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
In January, the district shared a glowing review of the educator, boasting that she “goes above and beyond for students at Peach Plains Elementary School on Facebook.
Superintendent Kristin Perowski shared a statement Friday evening addressing the situation, offering support to the school community and mental health resources.
Karolkiewicz and her husband had been together for roughly 16 years, according to Kristopher’s social media.
“Going on 10 years with this pretty lady. I’m a very lucky guy,” he captioned a photo with his wife in 2019.
The Lawwills declined comment to The Post, while awaiting further details from the medical examiner’s office.
Capt. Jacob Sparks of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office described the grim scene as “complicated” during a news conference.
Firefighters were in the area earlier that morning after reports of the smell of smoke between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., but weren’t able to locate the source, Fox News reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Ottawa County sheriff’s and medical examiner’s offices did not return requests for comment.
