Woman says ex-husband killed daughter, himself; files wrongful death lawsuit against his estate
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MI – The mother of Stacey Grotenhuis, found fatally stabbed in the neck after her father, Gary Volkers, killed himself, has filed a lawsuit against Volkers’ estate.
Karen Jarrell of Holland filed a wrongful-death action against her ex-husband’s estate in Ottawa County Circuit Court.
Jarrell is seeking compensation for medical, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of her relationship with her daughter. She is also seeking “reasonable damages for Stacey’s pain and suffering while conscious between the time Stacey’s injuries were inflicted and Stacey died.”
State police continue to investigate and are awaiting DNA and other testing before calling the killings a murder-suicide.
Related: Father of Holland-area homicide victim committed suicide, death certificate states
Related: Father-daughter deaths: Police awaiting DNA results, computer searches
Volkers’ body was found near his car at 13 Mile Road and 205th Avenue in LeRoy Township. Police found his daughter’s body at their Crystal Waters condominium in Holland Township while trying to find Volkers’ next of kin.
Grotenhuis had earlier moved into her father’s home after living five years in South Dakota.
Gary Volkers, Stacey Grotenhuis
Attorney Daniel Goeman said the Ottawa County Medical Examiner has concluded that both died in a murder-suicide.
“After killing his daughter, Stacey, in their home, Gary Volkers drove to Osceola County … and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a pistol.”
The gun was registered to Volkers.
Meanwhile, the lawsuit says that another woman, Jeannie Smith of Texas, who says she is also Volkers’ daughter, has filed paperwork related to Volkers’ estate in Ottawa County Probate Court. Jarrell acknowledged that Volkers paid child support on her behalf but now “demands proof thereof" that she is his daughter, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit contended that the only interaction between Volkers and Smith was on Facebook.
Jarrell is suing on behalf of her daughter’s estate.
Jarrell has described Volkers as a “wonderful” father and said, “The whole situation is mind-blowing.”
.
John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar
Karen Jarrell of Holland filed a wrongful-death action against her ex-husband’s estate in Ottawa County Circuit Court.
Jarrell is seeking compensation for medical, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of her relationship with her daughter. She is also seeking “reasonable damages for Stacey’s pain and suffering while conscious between the time Stacey’s injuries were inflicted and Stacey died.”
State police continue to investigate and are awaiting DNA and other testing before calling the killings a murder-suicide.
Related: Father of Holland-area homicide victim committed suicide, death certificate states
Related: Father-daughter deaths: Police awaiting DNA results, computer searches
Volkers’ body was found near his car at 13 Mile Road and 205th Avenue in LeRoy Township. Police found his daughter’s body at their Crystal Waters condominium in Holland Township while trying to find Volkers’ next of kin.
Grotenhuis had earlier moved into her father’s home after living five years in South Dakota.
Gary Volkers, Stacey Grotenhuis “After killing his daughter, Stacey, in their home, Gary Volkers drove to Osceola County … and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a pistol.”
The gun was registered to Volkers.
Meanwhile, the lawsuit says that another woman, Jeannie Smith of Texas, who says she is also Volkers’ daughter, has filed paperwork related to Volkers’ estate in Ottawa County Probate Court. Jarrell acknowledged that Volkers paid child support on her behalf but now “demands proof thereof" that she is his daughter, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit contended that the only interaction between Volkers and Smith was on Facebook.
Jarrell is suing on behalf of her daughter’s estate.
Jarrell has described Volkers as a “wonderful” father and said, “The whole situation is mind-blowing.”
.
John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar
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