HANCOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – A preliminary examination was scheduled for May 31st for 50-year-old Margaret Kempainen and 20-year-old Jacob Kempainen.
The two are accused of murdering 87-year-old Alvin Kempainen. They are each charged with 1 count of homicide-open murder, and 2 counts of conspiracy to commit homicide-open murder.
Two people are under arrest pending charges for what police are calling a suspicious death in Hancock Township.
The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office says around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, deputies were dispatched to 53403 Salo Rd. for a wellbeing check on an elderly man. Deputies found 87-year-old Alvin Kempainen dead inside with a gunshot wound to his head.
The investigation revealed three persons of interest: 50-year-old Margaret Kempainen, 20-year-old Jacob Kempainen, and a 16-year-old juvenile whose name is withheld due to his age. All three are residents of Hartland, Wisconsin and were identified as family members of Alvin.
Detectives learned the three were traveling south on I-35 in Minnesota near the Iowa border. The three were stopped in Clear Lake, Iowa around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. All three were interviewed by detectives from Clear Lake and the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office.
Margaret and Jacob were taken into custody and lodged in the Cerro Gordo County Jail pending charges and extradition to Michigan.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Hancock City Police, Houghton City Police, MSP Crime Lab, Clear Lake Police Department, UPSET West, Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office, Houghton County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Mercy Ambulance.
