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West Michigan Grandparents’ Home Destroyed In Fire After Being Burglarized

Posted at 6:50 PM, Apr 15, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-15 23:16:07-04

CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. (April 15, 1014) — A home belonging to grandparents in Bedford Township was destroyed in a fire after being burglarized.

The fire happened on March 25. It’s not clear exactly when the burglary took place because the couple who owns the home was living in Florida at the time the incidents happened.

While walking through the damage Tuesday, Jen Adkins said her grandparents have only heard about what happened and that it’s another blow to a couple who’s already lost so much.

“They lost a daughter 25 years ago. She was brutally murdered in Florida after surviving cancer as a child,” Adkins said. “All of her adult belongings, all of her childhood memories, and things that they kept were inside this home and it’s gone now.”

While investigators haven’t released how the fire started, for Adkins, the timing comes as a strange coincidence. She and her husband were at the home just hours before the fire taking inventory on what was stolen.

“They took guns, a coin collection, jewelry…anything of value was taken,” Adkins said.”I feel guilty that we were here before the fire….why didn’t I grab pictures…why didn’t I grab more stuff for them…why didn’t I do more?”

Adkins said their family is left to wonder if the people who stole her grandparent’s belongings are the same people responsible for destroying their home.

“Their daughter’s murder case is unsolved to this day, 25 years later, and now this,” Adkins said.  We have no idea who broke in. If they could have closure on one tragedy in their life that’d be helpful.”

Anyone with information is asked to give Silent Observer call at 269-964-3888.