Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz’s family paid tribute to their late family member in a joint statement after she and her six children were killed by her husband, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, in an apparent murder-suicide.
The family’s GoFundMe page explained that the fundraiser was intended to help Mandy’s mother, Becky Lawwill and her stepfather, Steve Lawwill, with the “legal expenses they will face as they navigate this painful road ahead.”
The page – which was set up by Jonathan Stoye, Ellen Phillips and Emily Jones – stated that remaining funds will be used to establish a scholarship in memory of Mandy, 39, and Kristopher’s children, “creating a lasting legacy that honors their lives and helps future generations.”
“If you can donate, any amount will make a meaningful difference. If you can’t, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Becky, Steve and our whole family in your thoughts,” the fundraiser page concluded. “Thank you for your kindness and support in this devastating time.”
The fundraiser has earned a total of $30,391 out of the $25,000 goal as of time of publication.
In the comments section of the page, Mandy’s cousin Jones shared a lengthy tribute to the mother of six and shared insight into who she was as a person.
Jones also issued a statement on behalf of the family addressing several of Mandy’s resurfaced Reddit posts, which accused Kristopher, 47, of cheating with an intern two years before the murder-suicide occurred.
“Mandy, like most people, contained multitudes. She was observant, empathetic, and inquisitive. We can all agree that she enjoyed the community built around people working together for the common good,” she said. “In her absence, we should assign her character based on these attributes instead of a snapshot of her life, a Reddit post, or assumptions.”
Earlier in the post, Jones thanked supporters for their donations. “On behalf of Steve, Becky and the entire family, we are honored and humbled by the outpouring of love and support, both from your donations and from your kind messages, the memories that you’ve shared, and the prayers and love that you’ve sent to us,” she wrote.
Jones then addressed a few subjects, including that the fundraising would only benefit their family and that “plans for a celebration of life for Mandy and her six children are underway.”
“We are working directly with Steve and Becky to determine the details of a scholarship in the names of the Karolkiewicz children. We will release the details on the scholarship once we have worked through it,” she continued. “We ask for patience; none of us quite know how to do this, but come hell or high water, we’re going to make it happen for Mandy and most of all, for the six Karolkiewicz children.”
The post concluded with Jones sharing a photo of the cousins taken around 1997. “Only for Mandy would we share this embarrassing photo,” she wrote. “We love you, Mandy.”
Us previously reported that Kristopher, Mandy and their six children died inside of their Michigan home on Friday, July 24, after the patriarch fatally shot his family members. Police said that he then set their home fire before he died by suicide.
Shortly after Mandy’s death was revealed, Becky and Steve told Fox 17 that their daughter “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,” they continued. “We pray for God’s peace and comfort as we grieve their deaths and honor their lives.”
Meanwhile, Jones previously told WZZM 13 that Mandy was “the sweetest, funniest person that you could ever meet,” as well as “a light in her community, a light in her family’s lives.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
