GRAND HAVEN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jul. 27, 2026) – More information has been disclosed on Monday following a Friday morning house fire at a neighborhood near Millhouse Bayou south of Grand Haven, which is being investigated as a homicide case, as two adults and six children were found dead there.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputies and Grand Haven Fire Department crews were initially called to the vicinity of Mercury Drive and 148th Avenue around 8:30 AM on a report of the smell of smoke in the area, but no blaze was initially located. About three hours later, the first responders returned following calls of white smoke seen coming from a residence in the 14900 block of Riverside Trail. As firefighters brought the flames under control, the eight persons were found inside, and state police arson investigators were called in.
Following results of autopsies, conducted at Corewell-Blodgett Hospital to determine the exact cause of death, was that all eight died of gunshot wounds. The adults are 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz and his 39-year-old wife Amanda, with four boys aged 5, 11, 12 and 15, and two 11-year-old girls. Four of the youths were biological children of the couple, with the other two adopted, and their names will not be disclosed. It was also determined that the mother and the children were all slain, and that the father took his own life.
In addition, preliminary conclusions by state police arson investigators was that the fire was intentionally set in numerous places inside of the residence, and that family pets succumbed to the flames and smoke. It is believed that the blaze started after the family members were slain.
Further details are pending, as the matter remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or Ottawa County Silent Observer (877-887-4536).
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