{"id":20284,"date":"2026-07-28T21:58:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=20284"},"modified":"2026-07-28T21:58:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:58:26","slug":"michigan-man-kills-wife-6-children-himself-deputies-say-wsoc-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=20284","title":{"rendered":"Michigan man kills wife, 6 children, himself, deputies say \u2013 WSOC TV"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ic-cdn.flipboard.com\/wsoctv.com\/2375e9b63379d708fa37612f1f0abc981974152d\/_xlarge.jpeg\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. \u2014 A Michigan man fatally shot his wife and six children on Friday and then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">According to the Ottawa County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the shootings occurred south of Grand Haven Township. Autopsies revealed that Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, shot his family members, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/news\/ottawa-county\/deputies-man-killed-wife-and-six-kids-then-himself\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/news\/ottawa-county\/deputies-man-killed-wife-and-six-kids-then-himself\/\">WOOD<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Deputies said he shot his wife, Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39, and their six children, according to the television station. He then turned the gun on himself and died from a gunshot wound.<\/p>\n<div>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Family members are remembering the mother and six children killed in a murder-suicide near Grand Haven. Mandy Karolkiewicz was funny, spunky and optimistic. Her children &#8220;all loved life,&#8221; a family spokesperson said. &#8220;They all loved adventure.&#8221; More: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eDtbhaW5mZ\">https:\/\/t.co\/eDtbhaW5mZ<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WSQ8fiM2L8\">pic.twitter.com\/WSQ8fiM2L8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WOODTV\/status\/2082131539547041829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cThis is an unspeakable tragedy that we may never completely understand why it happened,\u201d Ottawa County Sheriff\u2019s Office Capt. Jacob Sparks said Monday. \u201cBut we will do our best to find the answers and to honor the memory of those victims.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Detectives believe Kristopher Karolkiewicz shot and killed his wife and six children before starting several fires throughout the home and then shooting himself, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox17online.com\/news\/local-news\/holland-zeeland-grand-haven\/investigators-id-family-found-dead-in-grand-haven-twp-home-ruled-murder-suicide\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.fox17online.com\/news\/local-news\/holland-zeeland-grand-haven\/investigators-id-family-found-dead-in-grand-haven-twp-home-ruled-murder-suicide\">WXMI<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">The names of the children were not released by investigators. Four of them were the couple\u2019s biological children, while the other two were adopted, according to the television station. Four of the children were boys, ages 15, 12, 11, and 5; the two girls were both 11 years old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Autopsies revealed that all eight members of the family died from gunshot wounds, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/news\/ottawa-county\/deputies-man-killed-wife-and-six-kids-then-himself\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/news\/ottawa-county\/deputies-man-killed-wife-and-six-kids-then-himself\/\">WOOD<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Deputies said fires were started in the basement and on the first floor of the residence, according to the television station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Several family pets, including multiple dogs and at least one cat, also died in the fire, deputies said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">It was unclear what led to the shootings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re trying to get answers about what happened leading up to the incident,\u201d Sparks told reporters. \u201cWe believe this incident could\u2019ve started the night before and then carried over into the early morning hours (of Friday). There were reports of the smell of smoke early in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Kristopher Karolkiewicz had worked remotely with the National American Heart Association since September 2023 as a national vice president of sales and marketing, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wzzm13.com\/article\/news\/local\/grand-haven-dad-lost-his-job-prior-to-murder-suicide-employer-says\/69-79e37f43-fa19-42e8-a6df-e28c9c0e3b4e\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wzzm13.com\/article\/news\/local\/grand-haven-dad-lost-his-job-prior-to-murder-suicide-employer-says\/69-79e37f43-fa19-42e8-a6df-e28c9c0e3b4e\">WZZM<\/a> reported. The company told the television station that his \u201cemployment ended\u201d in July 2026. <\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">A family friend, who did not wish to be identified, told the television station that he had been fired.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cAs an organization with professional staff who are dedicated to helping others, we are devastated by the news out of Grand Haven, and our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,\u201d said the American Heart Association said in a statement, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wzzm13.com\/article\/news\/local\/grand-haven-dad-lost-his-job-prior-to-murder-suicide-employer-says\/69-79e37f43-fa19-42e8-a6df-e28c9c0e3b4e\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wzzm13.com\/article\/news\/local\/grand-haven-dad-lost-his-job-prior-to-murder-suicide-employer-says\/69-79e37f43-fa19-42e8-a6df-e28c9c0e3b4e\">WZZM<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Roughly a week before she was killed, Amanda Karolkiewicz posted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mandykarolk\" rel=\"\">multiple TikTok videos<\/a> of a trip she took to China earlier this month with her two adopted daughters, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2026\/07\/27\/sister-of-one-of-victims-of-grand-haven-township-family-dead-public-not-to-believe-theories\/91061528007\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2026\/07\/27\/sister-of-one-of-victims-of-grand-haven-township-family-dead-public-not-to-believe-theories\/91061528007\/\">The Detroit News<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cWhat an awesome experience with my precious daughters,\u201d she posted on July 16. \u201cWe are so proud of their Chinese heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">The 11-year-old girls were born in China, according to the newspaper. Social media posts showed that the trio returned from China on July 17, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2026\/07\/27\/sister-of-one-of-victims-of-grand-haven-township-family-dead-public-not-to-believe-theories\/91061528007\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2026\/07\/27\/sister-of-one-of-victims-of-grand-haven-township-family-dead-public-not-to-believe-theories\/91061528007\/\">News<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Amanda Karolkiewicz\u2019s parents, Steve and Becky Lawwill, released a statement after authorities released her identity, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox17online.com\/news\/local-news\/holland-zeeland-grand-haven\/investigators-id-family-found-dead-in-grand-haven-twp-home-ruled-murder-suicide\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.fox17online.com\/news\/local-news\/holland-zeeland-grand-haven\/investigators-id-family-found-dead-in-grand-haven-twp-home-ruled-murder-suicide\">WXMI<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cOur daughter Mandy was a kind and devoted soul who loved her family and her students,\u201d they said. \u201cWe treasured every moment we had with her and her six children, and words cannot adequately express our devastation. <\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">\u201cWe pray for God\u2019s peace and comfort as we grieve their deaths and honor their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\">Family members have established a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/support-becky-and-steve-after-tragic-loss?attribution_id=sl:0babcf14-ea96-48fc-8138-4a56d9254247&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1785175797&amp;utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&amp;utm_content=amp20_control&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link\" rel=\"\">GoFundMe<\/a> page.<\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph\"><i><b>Note: If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the <\/b><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/988lifeline.org\/\" rel=\"\"><i><b>Lifeline by dialing 988<\/b><\/i><\/a><i><b>. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit theorganization\u2019s <\/b><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/suicidepreventionlifeline.org\/\" rel=\"\"><i><b>official website<\/b><\/i><\/a><i><b>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"default__StyledText-sc-tl066j-0 jyMHRV body-paragraph body-copyright\">\u00a9 2026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script id=\"facebookSdk\" defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. \u2014 A Michigan man fatally shot his wife and six children on Friday and then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. According to the Ottawa County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the shootings occurred south of Grand Haven Township. Autopsies revealed that Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, shot his family members, WOOD reported. Deputies&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20285,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cmg-cmg-tv-10030-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com\/resizer\/v2\/https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com%2Fcmg%2FENSTVCGZWBHCHJLDPERT63KMRM.jpeg?auth=a0e68db038ecf515f3015b59149d7a28a2ab7a9b2de3c5e6984a0e5dbac89af1&width=1200&height=630&smart=true","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20284\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}