Michigan family was rocked by two horrific tragedies before mom, dad and six children were found dead in burning home

A Michigan family of eight killed in their home was rocked by two tragedies before the ‘suspicious’ house fire.

Amanda ‘Mandy’ Karolkiewicz, 39, her husband Kristopher, 47, and their six children, ages five to 15, were found dead at their burning $750,000 home in Grand Haven Township on Friday morning.

Some suffered gunshot wounds, with murder-suicide a possible motive.

Amanda’s mother, Becky Lawwill, described the tragedy as ‘such an ugly thing that has happened.’

It was not the first to hit the family. Becky and her husband, Steve, lost a son, Allston Lawwill, six years ago to an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Allston, 28, started using cocaine and opioids during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly became addicted, WSYM-TV reported.

Just months after, Allston was living in Lansing without his wife, Kassandra, and their three children.

He was found dead on November 25, 2020, three days after he died and had his last known communication with his wife.

Amanda ‘Mandy’ Karolkiewicz, 39, her husband Kristopher, 47, and their six children, ages five to 15, were found dead at their $750,000 home in Grand Haven Township on Friday. Above, the family with Amanda’s parents Steve and Becky Lawwill

Allston Tyler Lawwill, right, died from a fentanyl-fueled heart attack on November 22, 2020. The 28-year-old grew addicted to drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of his death, he was living separately from his wife, Kassandra, left, and their three children

Amanda and Allston also had a second ‘baby brother’ called Dillan who died, according to a family fundraising page. Further details on that tragedy have not been shared.

Police determined Allston purchased cocaine right before his death, but an autopsy report revealed that it was fentanyl that caused the young father’s heart attack.

‘It looked like there was no intention at all,’ Steve told WSYM in 2021. ‘There was no note. There was a bag of Wendy’s in the microwave, so he was heating up his lunch.’

Amanda started a crowdfunding campaign to support her brother’s widow and children after his unexpected death, the Daily Mail can reveal.

‘There are no words to describe the utter despair that we’re feeling as we desperately try to conjure up the energy to share this news and move forward from this tragedy together,’ she wrote at the time on the FreeFunder website.

‘His death was not expected and came way too soon. We don’t know how life goes on past this, but right now we are doing our best to live moment by moment and find some peace in knowing that he is with his baby brother, Dillan.’

She added: ‘Our family is still reeling from this horrific tragedy. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers, especially his wife and three kids.’

Now, speaking about the deaths of his stepdaughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Steve told MLive: ‘We know God has a purpose.’

Authorities described the fire at the Karolkiewicz family’s five-bedroom $750,000 home as ‘suspicious’ and are investigating if it was a murder-suicide

Amanda and Kristopher married in 2009. The cause of their deaths has not been determined

Autopsies for Amanda, Kristopher and their six children are underway.

Police have not said how many of the victims were shot and the official causes of death have not yet been determined.

Amanda and Kristopher were wed in 2009. According to Steve and Becky, they had four biological children and two adopted children together.

The youngest, age five, was about to begin kindergarten at Peach Plains Elementary, where Amanda was a teacher.

The oldest, 15, was heading into high school and had recently begun driver’s education.

‘She was an amazing mother. She loved her kids so much, so much, and Kris did too,’ Becky said of her daughter. ‘This is just such an ugly thing that has happened, all eight of them.’

Last Friday, Grand Haven Area Public Schools offered support to the community.

‘It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge reports of a devastating incident in Grand Haven Township earlier today involving the loss of multiple lives, including several school-aged children,’ Superintendent Kristin Perkowski wrote.

Amanda and Kristopher were wed in 2009. They had four biological children and two adopted children together

Amanda worked as a substitute teacher for Grand Haven Area Public Schools, and was honored by the district in a social media post in January

‘Regardless of the details that may emerge, this is a devastating incident and a tragic loss for our community.

‘Our hearts are with all those impacted, and we know many throughout our community may be grieving and struggling to process this news.’

Amanda worked as a substitute teacher for Grand Haven Area Public Schools and was honored by the district in a social media post in January.

‘Mandy goes above and beyond for students, especially when they’re having a hard day, responding with empathy, patience, and care,’ the district wrote.

‘She pours her heart into her work, is always willing to help wherever needed, and helps make Peach Plains a better place to learn and work.’

Tributes to the family have also begun pouring in on Facebook.

‘My little sister Mandy, her husband, and my six nieces and nephews,’ Amanda’s sister, Molly Cessna, wrote.