July 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Michigan announced Monday that the eight family members found dead inside a burning home over the weekend died in a murder-suicide, stating the father had killed his six children and his wife before turning the weapon on himself and setting the residence ablaze.
"This is far more than a news story. This situation personally impacts dozens if not hundreds of people in the county. Our hearts go out to those families, the neighbors and co-workers, the teachers, the students of Grand Haven Public Schools and the friends of the victims," Capt. Jake Sparks of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office told reporters at a press conference.
The family of eight was found dead at their Grand Haven Township home on Friday after firefighters and police were called at 11:42 a.m. EDT for smoke seen coming from the residence. Authorities initially said some appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds.
On Monday, Sparks said autopsies had been preformed, and the cause of all eight deaths was gunshot wounds. The manner of death for the mother and six children was homicide, while the father's death was ruled a homicide.
Sparks identified the father as 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz. He identified Kristopher's wife as Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39. He did not name the children but said four were boys, ages 15, 12, 11 and 5, and two girls females, both age 11 and adopted.
