GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The family found dead inside a Grand Haven Township home last week all died by being shot, investigators revealed on Monday.
The deaths of the six children and woman, identified as Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39, were ruled homicides, said the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. The man, 47-year-old Kristopher Karolkiewicz, took his own life, determined detectives.
WATCH: Investigators ID family found dead in Grand Haven Twp home, ruled murder-suicide
"The investigation at this point shows that this was a murder-suicide with the fire being started after the murders," said Captain Jake Sparks at the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office press conference Monday afternoon.
The family of eight was found on Friday, July 24, inside their home on Riverside Trail when firefighters responded to calls of smoke coming from the house.
Investigators initially said some of the people had been shot, but on Monday the sheriff's office said all eight had gunshot wounds.
Detectives believe Kristopher shot and killed his wife and six children, ages 5 to 15, before starting several fires throughout the home.
How the fires inside the home were started remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police arson investigators, said the sheriff's office.
The names of the six children were not released by investigators, but they said four of the children were the Karolkiewicz's biological offspring; the other two were adopted. Four of the children were boys, ages 15, 12, 11, and 5; the two girls were both 11 years old.
During Monday's briefing, when FOX 17's Paige Meyer asked investigators whether there was any evidence of a struggle inside the home, Sparks responded: "Not that our investigation found."
Sparks did confirm all six children were found dead inside their bedrooms.
All of the family's pets died because of smoke from the fires.
No other suspects are believed to be involved in the situation, said the sheriff's office.
The tragedy has deeply affected the Lakeshore community. Grand Haven Area Public Schools announced it would be providing support for students and staff impacted by the family's deaths.
In the days following the incident, a memorial of flowers, stuffed animals, candles, and handwritten messages has grown outside the family's home.
Among those who stopped to pay their respects was Jo Young, a Michigan native and therapist who said the loss resonated even though she never personally knew the family.
"I want to honor these lives that have been lost here, even though I didn't know them," Young said. "It's huge to lose a single person in our world, and to hear that eight people lost their lives impacted my heart, my soul," she said.
Amanda's parents shared a short statement with FOX 17 after investigators released her identity.
"Our daughter Mandy was a kind and devoted soul who loved her family and her students. We treasured every moment we had with her and her six children, and words cannot adequately express our devastation. We pray for God’s peace and comfort as we grieve their deaths and honor their lives."
Family members have established a GoFundMe as they navigate legal expenses following this tragedy.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Anyone with information on the shootings is encouraged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office at (616) 738-4000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer at (877) 88-SILENT.
