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Published 10:42 29 Jul 2026 GMT
A mother, who was allegedly killed alongside her six children by her husband after discovering his infidelity, had posted on Facebook about his alleged affair two years before her gruesome murder.
Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, was also found dead alongside his wife, Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, and six children in New Haven, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan last Friday.
Karolkiewicz, an American Heart Association executive who had recently lost his job with the company, is alleged to have shot his wife and children, before turning the gun on himself, in what has been described as an “unspeakable tragedy”, by local authorities.
After initially being alerted to a fire at the family’s house, which is alleged to have been started intentionally by Mr Karolkiewicz, fire officials uncovered the seven bodies, prompting a murder investigation.
Following the reported familial murders, revealing social media posts from Mandy have resurfaced, and they make for disturbing viewing.
In a post dating back to 2024, Mandy claimed: “He was divorced and older than me … fast forward ten years and five kids, he was cheating with the intern again — the same age I was when I was the intern,” Karolkiewicz allegedly wrote.
“After about a year of self-loathing, I remember crying and looking at myself in the mirror and realizing how… it was that I was the one who was living so miserably because of what he did,” she claimed
She also revealed that: “I finally realized that I had been the only person who has ever showed up for myself my whole entire life.”
The mother of six was a member of the sub-Reddit “As One After Infidelity” — a support group for reconciliation after cheating, and regularly posted about her marriage and the impact of her husband’s alleged deceit.
“I kept telling myself, ‘I love my kids more than I hate my husband right now.’ They have no idea — I faked it ’till we made it. We’re in a much better place 4.5 years out, but it’s still a fight to stay in a healthy place,” Amanda wrote.
“We have six kids, so the idea of leaving is insanely terrifying,” she allegedly wrote. “He’s always had major red flags that I ignored due to my own trauma and anxious attachment.”
The couple, who had been married since 2009, shared children between the ages of five and 15, as well as family pets — who were also pronounced dead when fire and law enforcement officials arrived at the house.
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Published 16:16 22 Jan 2025 GMT
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Published 16:14 28 Jul 2026 GMT
Disturbing new details have come out after a Michigan man allegedly shot his wife and six children before setting their family home on fire and taking his own life.
Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, his wife Amanda "Mandy" Karolkiewicz, 39, and their six children, aged between five and 15, were found dead inside their home in Grand Haven Township on Friday (July 24).
Police believe that Kristopher fatally shot his wife and the children before setting multiple fires throughout the home and then shooting himself.
Autopsies later confirmed that all eight family members died from gunshot wounds before the fire was deliberately started in several parts of the house.
"This is an unspeakable tragedy that we may never completely understand," Ottawa County Sheriff Eric DeBoer said in a statement read aloud by Deputy Captain Jacob Sparks.
Officials say the investigation indicates it was a murder-suicide, but the case remains open as Michigan State Police arson investigators work to determine exactly how the fires began.
As investigators continue piecing together what happened, Reddit posts Amanda shared two years ago have shed light on problems the couple had faced years before the horrific event.
The 39-year-old revealed that around eight years before the killings, Kristopher had what she described as an "emotional affair" with a "much younger" intern at his workplace.
She said life in Grand Haven had once been "like living in a Hallmark Movie" and explained that she had first met Kristopher when she was also working as an intern.
"He was divorced and older than me… fast forward ten years and five kids, he was cheating with the intern again - the same age I was when I was the intern," she wrote, per Daily Mail.
She opened up about the emotional toll the affair had taken on her.
"After about a year of self-loathing, I remember crying and looking at myself in the mirror and realizing how f***** up it was that I was the one who was living so miserably because of what he did. I finally realized that I had been the only person who has ever showed up for myself my whole entire life," she added.
Amanda admitted she wanted to leave the marriage but said doing so felt "insanely terrifying".
Instead, she decided to try to fix their relationship for the sake of their six children.
"I kept telling myself, 'I love my kids more than I hate my husband right now.' They have no idea - I faked it 'till we made it," she wrote. "We're in a much better place 4.5 years out, but it's still a fight to stay in a healthy place."
Although Kristopher claimed that the affair never became physical, Amanda said she "never quite believed him".
She added that the "evidence [made] it all seem like it would be very unlikely that they were never physical."
Amanda also disclosed that she once shoved her husband after discovering the affair.
"I don't feel bad still," she wrote. "He towers over me and destroyed me mentally. It felt like I was being assaulted and needed to fight back. I think it's a fight or flight thing."
Amanda wrote that she and Kristopher began attending both individual therapy and marriage counselling, although she said the process often frustrated him.
"He was having trouble sleeping and was so angry and mad at himself because the counselor asked him if he heard me. It seems like such a big reaction to that pretty normal question from a marriage counselor. He is so sensitive to correction that I'm feeling so discouraged that we'll ever be able to make progress," she said.
Over time, she believed they had made meaningful progress; they had both embraced sobriety and that, despite ongoing struggles, she was generally happy.
"For me, 'safety' is the ability to trust that (he) will not get angry or defensive when I'm triggered, and will help to carry me through it," she wrote. "We're almost five years out, and he's trying, but still struggles with defensiveness. But in general, am I happy? Yes."
"I wouldn't say I feel safety in my emotions, because he still struggles with receiving my triggers without defensiveness, and that's slowing down my ability to regain feelings of safety," she added.
Amanda's and the children's deaths have been ruled homicides, while Kristopher's death has been ruled a suicide.
Four of the six children were Kristopher's biological children, while the couple had adopted two others. Police said the victims included four boys aged 15, 12, 11 and five, along with two daughters, both aged 11. Their names have not yet been released.
The family's dogs and at least one cat also died in the fire.
The couple got married in 2009 after meeting at work at a beverage company the previous year.
Amanda had recently returned to work as a substitute teacher for Grand Haven Area Public Schools after previously staying home with the children.
Their youngest child was preparing to start kindergarten at Peach Plains Elementary, while their oldest had recently begun driver's education ahead of starting high school.
Amanda's mother and stepfather, Becky and Steve Lawwill, described her as "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 address our devastation," they said. "We pray for God's peace and comfort as we grieve their deaths and honor their lives."
Grand Haven Area Public Schools also offered support to students and staff following the tragedy.
"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 said.
"Regardless of the details that may emerge, this is a devastating incident and a tragic loss for our community," she continued. "Our hearts are with all those impacted, and we know many throughout our community may be grieving and struggling to process this news."
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
Published 10:11 21 Aug 2025 GMT
This article contains information that some readers may find distressing.
A mother who fatally shot her husband and two children shared a disturbing social media post days before carrying out the killings.
Emily Long, 34, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the family’s Madbury home early Monday morning, per the New York Post.
Authorities say she killed her husband, Ryan Long, 48, and their two eldest children - Parker, 8, and Ryan, 6 - in an apparent murder-suicide.
Both children were shot once in the head, while Ryan, who was terminally ill, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Their three-year-old child was discovered alive and unharmed in the house and is now in the care of relatives.
Investigators recovered a gun from the scene, but a clear motive remains unknown.
Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati told WCAX: “One of the biggest questions they have right now is motive, why? And I think that’s probably one of the more difficult things that they are trying to grasp to understand how this came to be.”
The tragedy comes against the backdrop of Ryan’s battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
Emily had documented her husband’s illness on social media, often reflecting on the toll it was taking on their family.
She described trying to create normalcy for her children even as they struggled to understand what was happening.
In one recent video, Emily admitted: “I am determined to create normalcy. I have been struggling so much and really depressed and just have really become reclusive, and just wanted to be with my kids and my husband. That being said, I’m making a change and it is starting today … And I’m making a point to get out of my depression and do this for my family.”
But her posts also hinted at deep despair.
As reported by the Sun, in a since-deleted TikTok, she told followers: “Today I decided I need to make a conscious effort to shift my mindset. I’m getting out of this depression whether I want to or not.”
In another clip, she confessed: “I know that I need to see a therapist, I know that I need to ask for help... but I’m not ready to acknowledge that, I think.”
She went on to describe feeling as though she was “withering” away. “I’m mourning my husband, I’m mourning my marriage and it’s still there. It’s very confusing and it’s very overwhelming.”
Emily worked as director of operations for the restaurant chain Wing-Itz.
Ryan, a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School, was remembered by colleagues and neighbors as devoted to his students and his family.
Neighbors in the town of fewer than 2,000 people expressed shock at the devastating loss.
Bevy Ketel, who lived nearby, told WBZ-TV: “It was a perfect family as far as we knew. It was shocking. We didn’t see it coming.”
She recalled seeing the Long children recently selling lemonade near their home.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
A man from North Carolina shared a chilling confession on Facebook shortly after murdering his wife.
As reported by the New York Post, Police say George Lesniak, 63, shot his wife, Cathleen Lesniak, 59, inside their Fuquay-Varina home just after 6:00PM on January 18.
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Officers responding to the scene found Cathleen dead and George with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The couple’s residence, a five-bedroom home on Highwater Place, is located 18 miles southwest of Raleigh.
In a post shared with the now-private ADAS Support Facebook group, Lesniak wrote: “My wife admitted to cheating on me so I killed her, I’m about to kill myself.”
The group, which focuses on technicians working with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, had Lesniak as one of its administrators.
The post, which was deleted shortly after it was made, also included a message directing members to determine the future of the group themselves, according to reports from The NC Beat.
Police were called to the scene just three minutes after the message was shared. While officials are conducting a thorough investigation into what they described as a “complex” incident, they have not yet officially classified the deaths as a murder-suicide.
“This incident is deeply tragic, and we urge the community to keep the family in their thoughts during this challenging time,” police said in a statement.
The Lesniaks were married for over 34 years.
Cathleen Lesniak worked as a technical production manager at Advanced Auto Parts, according to her now-private Facebook page, cited by the News & Observer.
Her husband, an Illinois native and graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute, had recently served as vice president of training at New York-based Autel Automotive Intelligence.
Lesniak left his position at Autel Automotive in September 2024 after working remotely for the company for over five years.
Autel Automotive expressed its sorrow in a brief Facebook post: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at the Lesniak residence on January 18. We at Autel express our heartfelt condolences to the Lesniak family and friends.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Published 11:00 21 Aug 2025 GMT
A New Hampshire mother who had been documenting her husband’s terminal cancer diagnosis on TikTok fatally shot him and two of their children before turning the gun on herself, authorities confirmed.
Emily Long, 34, her husband Ryan, 48, and two of their children - Parker, eight, and Ryan, six - were found dead inside their Madbury home on Monday night (August 18) after police responded to a chilling 911 call reporting multiple deaths.
According to the Daily Mail, the caller had reported "multiple deaths" within the property.
The family’s third child, a three-year-old, was discovered alive and unharmed inside the house and is now in the care of relatives.
Autopsy results revealed Emily shot her husband multiple times, each child once in the head, before taking her own life.
Ryan, a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School in Durham, had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer. Emily worked as the director of operations at the restaurant chain Wing-Itz.
“It was a perfect family as far as we knew,” neighbor Bevy Ketel told WBZ-TV, per CBS News. “It’s just shocking. We didn’t see it coming.”
Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati told WCAX that investigators are still trying to understand the motive behind the killings.
“One of the biggest questions they have right now is motive, why? And I think that's probably one of the more difficult things that they are trying to grasp to understand how this came to be," Agati said.
In the months leading up to the tragedy, the mom shared a series of increasingly distressing TikTok videos with her nearly 8,000 followers.
Just two days before the deaths, she posted a clip on her now-private page opening up about her grief, isolation, and struggles to care for her children as her husband’s health declined.
“All I want to do is hide under a blanket with my kids, but that isn't healthy for them and it's not healthy for me,” she said, cited by Daily Mail. “Today I decided I need to make a conscious effort to shift my mindset. I'm getting out of this depression whether I want to or not.
“I am determined to create normalcy... I’m trying to get myself out of the rut, our kids are definitely struggling, and now I’m starting to notice some changes in our three-year-old.”
In separate TikToks, she spoke about having to tell her children that her husband's diagnosis was terminal. She revealed that her two eldest children understood the condition and the outcome more thoroughly than their youngest child.
On May 11, she uploaded a video captioned: "Want to watch someone actually fall apart before your very eyes? I swear, this cancer will be the thing that breaks me," per The Mirror.
According to the New York Post, police officials have disclosed that they are aware of concerns within the household at the time of the killings, but have not elaborated further.
"Based upon the information available at this time, it appears that in the early morning hours of Monday, August 18, 2025, Ms. Long took a handgun from the home and caused the deaths of Ryan Long and her two children, Parker and Ryan, and then took her own life immediately thereafter," a medical examiner said.
"While investigators are becoming aware of various concerns/issues ongoing in the household at the time of the event in question, people should avoid speculating that this event was caused by a single reason or stressor," they added.
The tragedy remains under investigation.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Published 14:26 26 Jun 2026 GMT
A woman found dead alongside her four children and her mother in what police suspect was a poisoning had shared heartfelt social media posts in the days before the tragedy, while also dealing with a contentious custody dispute with her ex-partner.
Authorities discovered the bodies of 44-year-old Sarah Myers, her four children, 13-year-old Harper, 11-year-old Hudson, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn, as well as their grandmother, 64-year-old Amy Steadman, inside an apartment in upstate New York on Tuesday evening.
Officers were called to the property around 6:20PM after a neighbor requested a welfare check, reporting they had been unable to contact the family.
Inside, police found all six deceased.
Speaking at a press conference, Mechanicville police said they believe Steadman was “involved in a mass poisoning,” and confirmed that a note was recovered from the scene.
Investigators also said there were signs of “intentional poisoning” involving a mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Officials emphasized that everything appears to have happened inside the apartment and that they are not currently looking for any additional suspects.
However, authorities also revealed a disturbing detail: one of the children suffered “fatal sharp-forced injuries,” though they have not identified which child.
As investigators continue their work, social media posts offer a glimpse into the family’s life before the incident. Myers frequently shared photos and messages celebrating her children.
In one post, she referred to herself as “mama bear,” alongside a cartoon-style image featuring each of her children labeled by name.
Photos shared online show the family smiling together during holidays and everyday moments. Steadman also posted about her grandchildren, including one message that read: “Any day with a grandchild in my arms, on my lap, in my home, or on my mind is an amazing day!”
Those posts now stand in stark contrast to the scene police encountered.
Friends and relatives say the family had been under growing strain in recent months, largely due to a high-conflict custody battle between Myers and her ex-husband, Brady Harmon. Myers had publicly expressed frustration about the legal dispute on social media and claimed she had experienced domestic abuse.
Public records reviewed did not show any criminal history for Harmon, who has not responded to requests for comment.
Court documents show Harmon filed for divorce in March 2020, with the case concluding two months ago.
The final order granted joint legal custody of the children, while Myers was awarded sole physical custody. Harmon was ordered to pay $500 per week in child support and was given scheduled visitation during the summer months.
Less than two months later, Harmon filed an emergency motion to enforce the custody order.
Records indicate Myers was ordered to appear in court on June 29, 2026, over potential contempt proceedings, just days after the bodies were discovered.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, released details of the note, or confirmed a timeline of the deaths. The investigation remains ongoing as autopsy and toxicology results are pending.
Myers' ex-husband, and the children's father, Harmon told the Times Union that he learned of the deaths while at home in Utah and had recently been preparing to reunite with his children after years apart.
He said he had not seen them since 2019 but had reached an agreement with Myers that would have allowed them to spend the summer together.
“I went from I’m seeing my kids to I’ll never see my kids again,” Harmon said. “Hope to hell. Things happen, but nothing like this.”
He added that police have not yet told him how his children died and said he does not know who could be responsible.
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