A Michigan family of eight, including six children, died in what authorities now believe were murders followed by suicide last Friday.
Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, 39, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, as well as their six children under the age of 15 were found dead in their residence in Grand Haven Township, in Ottawa County, after a fire deemed “suspicious”, several American media reported.
In an update released Monday, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said it believes Mandy, who was a teacher, and the couple’s six children were victims of homicides. The death of the father is being investigated as a suicide, according to information from the magazine People.
An investigation is still underway to understand the motive of the father, who killed his wife and their six children on July 24.
Screenshot | CNN
Following autopsies, authorities confirmed that all family members died from gunshot wounds. According to the scenario favored by investigators, Kristopher fatally shot his wife and children before starting several fires in the residence, then taking his own life.
However, the motive remains unknown and the investigation continues.
During a press briefing held on Monday, authorities indicated that they had not found any letter left by Kristopher, reports the American magazine.
During the same press conference, the sheriff’s office captain explained that investigators were still trying to establish the timeline of events. Based on the evidence gathered so far, they believe the drama may have started the night before before continuing into the early hours of the morning.
An investigation is still underway to understand the motive of the father, who killed his wife and their six children on July 24.
Screenshot | CNN
Reports of a smell of smoke had also been reported early in the morning.
Although investigators have already gathered “a lot of documentation”, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office believes that the investigation will still take time to shed light on this tragedy.
