One of those cases where a lot of backstory is obviously not being told. Was the father custodial as the daughter was growing up? Was there a history of domestic violence against the mother? Was there a history of domestic violence against the daughter? What about sexual abuse? Dad GARY VOLKERS was obviously very violent and manipulative, so I think we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg here.
Reminds me of two killer dads in Florida: MANUEL DE JESUS ROSALES and DON SPIRIT. Both killed, or attempted to kill, adult daughters.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/woman_sues_ex-husbands_estate.html
Woman says ex-husband killed daughter, himself; files wrongful death lawsuit against his estate
By John Agar
on November 04, 2014 at 12:47 PM
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.
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.
Attorney Daniel Goeman said the Ottawa County Medical Examiner has concluded that both died in a murder-suicide.
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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.”