Who Killed John & Carolyn Tarwacki?

[Ideal Baloney]

No answers in Niles couple's deaths a year later
Killer of Niles couple still on loose, despite many interviews

By LOU MUMFORD Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- A year ago this Saturday, at a little after 6:30 a.m., a man parked his car on Yankee Street near Carberry Road, just outside the east Niles city limits, hiked a short distance through a wooded area, jumped a fence to the backyard of John and Carolyn Tarwacki and entered their home at 979 Carberry through the back door.

Within a matter of minutes, the Tarwackis, married just three years, were dead. The killer retraced his steps to his car and drove away, leaving unanswered two key questions: Who was he, and what was his motive?

The case has baffled investigators and frustrated family members, two of whom spoke to The Tribune last week for the first time. Sharon McKnight, the mother of 39-year-old Carolyn Tarwacki, who lived just two doors away from the couple, said she had talked to her daughter on the telephone minutes prior to the attack and there was nothing to indicate anything was amiss.

"She and I were both early risers so we'd often talk the first thing in the morning. She called me about 10 minutes after 6.

She was telling me what she was going to do with her day. It was just a normal thing," McKnight recalled. "At 6:22, she hung up. She said she had to get Kelan up, that he had to catch the bus."Kelan is Kelan McKnight, Carolyn Tarwacki's nephew, who had been living with the Tarwackis. The then-16-year-old Niles High School student boarded his bus at the customary time of 6:40 a.m., McKnight said.

The Tarwackis, both employed by the music education company Quinlan & Fabish in Stevensville, were expected at a business meeting that morning but never arrived. Notified of their absence, South Bend resident John Tarwacki Sr., the father of 42-year-old John Tarwacki, recalled that he telephoned their residence and was greeted by the answering machine. Sensing something was wrong, he jumped in his car and headed for their home.

A horrible feeling

"I had this horrible feeling as I was going up to U.S. 12 on Ironwood Road. I was almost shaking when I pulled up in the driveway," he said.

He opened the front door and found his intuition was correct as he was confronted by the bodies of John and Carolyn. Thinking Kelan, too, was perhaps a victim, he quickly looked through the house before leaving and calling police.Today, both Tarwacki and McKnight say they have no idea why someone would harbor so much hatred toward the couple, who were slain in brutal fashion.

"No, I didn't know that either of them had any enemies ... (but) I think they were the kind of people that wouldn't say anything, if something was wrong," the elder Tarwacki said. "Toward the end, it seemed like they were a little more reserved ... but I don't know why."

McKnight said Carolyn had a habit of confronting her enemies, although she never let on that she had one.

"What do they say, when you're married, that you should never go to bed mad? Carolyn believed that, and she followed that same thing in all her friendships. That's just the type of person she was," she said. "John? He was real open, whenever I talked to him. He never showed there was any problem at all."

His most difficult case

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez, a 22-year veteran of the state police who has worked the last 10 years in Niles, said he has been involved in any number of homicide investigations and has never had one as difficult as the Tarwackis'. Often, interviews with family members, co-workers or friends of homicide victims will raise red flags, but none surfaced in the 311 conducted with people associated with the Tarwackis, he said.

Police also have followed up on 672 tips without identifying the killer, he said. But there has been some success, he added, pointing out that some individuals whom investigators once viewed as possible suspects have been eliminated.

Currently, he's looking at two other individuals and is gathering evidence to determine whether they, too, can be ruled out, he said.

As for the crime scene, he said, tracks in the snow allowed police to determine the killer's route. Whether John or Carolyn opened the back door to let the killer in isn't known, he said, but there was no sign of forced entry.

Suarez said two weapons were involved, one of which the killer brought to the scene and the other he obtained in the house. The weapons have never been publicly identified, nor have the specific wounds found on the victims.Initially, police said they believed the Tarwackis knew their killer, but Suarez said he can't be certain of it.

"The crime scene itself was somewhat sterile. Were there signs of a struggle? It didn't appear so," he said. "That's why I say they were definitely surprised by this person. For a double homicide, you'd expect more."

Dog found unharmed

The Tarwackis owned a 200-pound mastiff, Wrigley, who was discovered in the house and who was known to be protective of Carolyn in particular. He wasn't harmed, prompting John Tarwacki Sr. to guess the killer was somebody the Tarwackis and the dog knew. McKnight, too, said the dog's presence indicated to her the killer had been to the house before.

"He (Wrigley) always met everyone at the door," she said.Suarez said investigators went so far as to examine the dog's teeth, to determine if he may have bitten the killer. They found nothing.

"You're talking about a gigantic dog. No, it didn't really surprise me the dog was there," he said. "Some people don't have fear of animals, or the dog knew who he (the killer) was."

Suarez said an examination of the three computers in the couple's home failed to reveal a possible motive. No illegal drugs were found either, further stumping investigators.

"There really was nothing in their lifestyles that would show these were the type of people that would put themselves in a dangerous situation," he said.

A sketch police released of a "person of interest" in the wake of the slayings likely wasn't the person who killed the Tarwackis, Suarez said. The man depicted in the sketch was observed walking east on Yankee later in the morning, perhaps after the couple was slain, the detective said, but at that point, the car parked on Yankee that had been observed by two earlier passers-by was gone.Suarez said, too, that the clothing description of the man walking east differed from the clothing description provided by the two other passers-by, who had spotted a man walking west on Yankee toward the car that was still parked along the road.

"There were three individuals who saw someone in the area, and we feel very strongly that two saw our suspect,'' he said. "But it was dark, and neither got a good look at his face. One said she believed he was a white male ... and that he was 20 to 30 years old.

"He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, with the hoodie pulled over his head, and dark pants. Their (the two earlier passers-by) descriptions were spot on."

As for the car, it's been described as an early 1990s midsize four-door sedan either sky or light blue in color. It had a boxlike body style and squared off back end.

Stonewalled

The person-of-interest in the sketch has never come forward, Suarez said. But that's only one of his frustrations, as he pointed out detectives have been stonewalled by several people they've attempted to interview. Their response, he said, has been that they "hate cops" or simply don't want to get involved.

"We've had several like that. I think that's shameful. This is a double homicide, and they have information that could help us," he said.

Asked if they could be compelled to talk to investigators, Suarez said he'll attempt to obtain subpoenas "if we get to that point."

John Tarwacki Sr. said his family is frustrated as well. He said Carolyn was John's third wife -- her marriage to John was her first -- and the two appeared happy with one another. Her work in music education put her in contact with area band directors and music students, many of whom turned out for a vigil in the wake of the slayings.

In addition to his work with Quinlan & Fabish, John Tarwacki was operations manager for Downtown South Bend, a nonprofit organization that promotes the downtown area. At one time, he also had a carpet-cleaning business and oversaw a cleaning crew that worked at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.The couple would often go out of their way to help others, John's father said.

"They played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at the (Niles) train depot for three years," he said.

Homicides 'personal'

Like Suarez, he said neither John nor Carolyn was involved in illegal drugs.

"There were no narcotics, there was no robbery. It was personal," he said.McKnight said John, a native of South Bend who served in the Navy and lived in Mississippi before moving back to the area about five years ago, had lived with her for six months prior to his marriage to Carolyn. She never saw in him anything that concerned her, she said.

"He was always a very loving son-in-law to me. ... If there were skeletons in his closet, I'm not aware of them," she said.

Both she and Tarwacki said their faith in God has enabled them to get through what McKnight called "a stressful year." McKnight said she has faith, too, in Suarez.

"He hasn't given up," she said. "Why should I?"

Staff writer Lou Mumford:
lmumford@sbtinfo.com
269-687-3551

http://southbendtribune.com/article/20110130/News01/101300344

[bdcbbq]

I know one of the detectives. They are very frustrated at not solving this case. They are also working on every lead they can come up with.

This type of crime is a good reason to have an appropriate firearm in your home for self-defense.

[Ideal Baloney]

Several months ago, there was a blog that suggested John Tarwacki was secretly rooting out corruption within local political circles and had planned at some point to become a protected whistle blower after amassing enough evidence. That blog has mysteriously disappeared just like the Tarwackis' executioner. I suppose Detective Suarez already investigated that theory and found it to be a figment of some disgruntled taxpayer's imagination?

[Ideal Baloney]

Article published Feb 25, 2011

No arrest in Tarwacki slayings, police say
Facebook entry sparks rumors in Niles case.

By LOU MUMFORD Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- Despite rumors fueled by an entry on a Facebook page, the Feb. 5, 2010, slayings of Niles area couple John and Carolyn Tarwacki remain unsolved, a Michigan State Police investigator said Thursday.

"If it's on Facebook, it's got to be true, right?" said Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez. "But, no, there have been no arrests, nothing."

Because police monitor social networking sites such as Facebook, they're aware of entries such as the one that spawned rumors that someone is in custody, Suarez said. But accusing someone of a crime is much different than obtaining the necessary evidence to make an arrest, he said.

As for whether police have a suspect in the case, Suarez said he had no comment.

"We're moving ahead. ... I think we're getting closer," he said.The Tarwackis were discovered dead in their home on Carberry Road, just south of Yankee Street and about a quarter mile outside the east Niles city limits, a little more than a year ago. John Tarwacki Sr., of South Bend, the father of John Tarwacki, discovered the crime after he was notified the couple had failed to show

up for a business meeting. Both worked in music education for Quinlan & Fabish.

Police said they believe the killer parked his car on Yankee near Carberry shortly after 6:30 a.m. that day, hiked a short distance through a wooded area, jumped a fence to the backyard of the Tarwacki residence and entered through the back door. There was no sign of forced entry.

Suarez said last month police had conducted more than 300 interviews and followed up on nearly 700 tips, managing to eliminate potential suspects but otherwise having little success. He called the case the most difficult in his 22-year career, pointing out the Tarwackis' apparent down-to-earth lifestyle should have kept them out of harm's way.

Staff writer Lou Mumford:
lmumford@sbtinfo.com
269-687-3551

http://southbendtribune.com/article/20110225/News01/102250322/1130

[Bear]

Several months ago, there was a blog that suggested John Tarwacki was secretly rooting out corruption within local political circles and had planned at some point to become a protected whistle blower after amassing enough evidence. That blog has mysteriously disappeared just like the Tarwackis' executioner. I suppose Detective Suarez already investigated that theory and found it to be a figment of some disgruntled taxpayer's imagination?

THERE IT IS! A conspiracy theory!

[Bear]

I think Jimmy Hoffa did it in the dining room with O.J.'s knife!

[Happy Mom]

'Person of interest' in Tarwacki case
Michigan Attorney General's office assisting with investigation



By LOU MUMFORD South Bend Tribune

6:09 p.m. EST, January 10, 2012

NILES -- Although police still aren't saying much regarding the slaying nearly two years ago of Niles couple John and Carolyn Tarwacki, investigators said Tuesday they have "a person of interest'' in the crime.

In an interview at the Law Enforcement Complex in Niles, Detective 1st Lt. Chuck Christensen, of the Michigan State Police 5th District headquarters in Paw Paw, said the individual, whom he didn't identify, became the focal point of the investigation as a result of "good old-fashioned gum-shoe police work.'' As for criminal charges, however, he said none have been filed.

"The case is being investigated by the (state) Attorney General's office in Detroit,'' he said.

Asked about involvement by the Cass County Prosecutor's office, which has jurisdiction in the case, Christensen said that office is cooperating with investigators from the Attorney General's office.

"The Cass prosecutor (Victor Fitz) .... has been involved. We came to a collective agreement the case is better served with a second set of eyes looking at it,'' he said.

Contacted by The Tribune, Fitz said he met with the Attorney General's office on Friday and will meet with its investigators in the near future in Cassopolis to jointly review the case file. Not only is a "second set of eyes'' important in solving the case, Fitz said, but so, too, is the expertise that comes with those investigators.

Assistance welcomed

"A. G. homicide deals almost exclusively in these kind of cases. We welcome their assistance in this matter,'' Fitz said.

Christensen was unable to provide a time frame for when a decision will be made whether to file criminal charges but said it'll likely be several months. The case file is "voluminous,'' he said.

The office has a good track record, he added, as far as solving cold cases. In the past few years, state police have provided its investigators with information on three such cases, he said, adding that in each case, charges ultimately were filed and convictions were obtained.

'A loose acquaintance'

As for the person of interest, Christensen said he was a "loose acquaintance'' of the couple. As reported initially, there was no sign of forced entry at the couple's home on Carberry Road, where police said the Tarwackis were killed Feb. 5, 2010, by a man armed with two unspecified weapons.

How they were killed has never been disclosed. In a Tribune story a year ago, Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez, of the Michigan State Police in Niles, described the crime scene as "somewhat sterile.''

"Were their signs of a struggle? It didn't appear so,'' he said. "That's why I say they were definitely surprised by this person. For a double homicide, you'd expect more.''

Dog unharmed

Carolyn Tarwacki was 39 and her husband 42. Police reported earlier they believed the Tarwackis knew their killer, in part because no human skin was found in the teeth of the couple's 200-pound mastiff, Wrigley, who was known to be protective of Carolyn in particular. The dog was found unharmed in one of the rooms at the house.

Investigators said initially the killer was believed to have parked his car on Yankee Street, close to Carberry and just down the street from the Tarwackis' house. Tracks in the snow indicated he walked to the residence through a wooded area and the back yard, between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., before committing the crime and retracing his steps.

Investigation 'never stopped'

Some 700 leads and tips were received in the case, all of which were investigated, Christensen and Suarez said Tuesday. The investigation, which also included Trooper/Investigator Jason Bailey of the Michigan State Police in Niles, "never stopped,'' Christensen said, and eventually resulted in developing the person of interest.

Even with the latest development, the investigation is ongoing. Bailey said anyone with information is still urged to contact police at 269- 683-4411.

"People's recollections change over time. We're still open to information,'' he said.

Fitz said it would be premature to discuss a motive or other details of the case but he confirmed the investigation is "focusing on a particular individual.'' He expressed confidence the killer will be brought to justice.

"I'll reiterate what I've said from Day 1: the case will be solved,'' he said. "The proof's the issue.''

Staff writer Lou Mumford:lmumford@sbtinfo.com269-687-3551
http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-person-of ... 5870.story

[Betsy Wallace]

Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, but does the fact that the AG has taken this investigation over lead anyone to believe that the victim's local political connections might be part of the story?

[Happy Mom]

Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, but does the fact that the AG has taken this investigation over lead anyone to believe that the victim's local political connections might be part of the story?

Not to be stupid, but what were their "political connections?"

[Betsy Wallace]

Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, but does the fact that the AG has taken this investigation over lead anyone to believe that the victim's local political connections might be part of the story?

Not to be stupid, but what were their "political connections?"

He was the Operations Manager for DTSB and close with many the local 'D's'. I am not saying that this led to anything nifarious AT ALL. Just wondering why the AG's office took over the investigation.