Michigan Man Admits Helping Mother Kill 87-Year-Old Grandfather, Claimed Victim Was “Not Grandpa,” Prosecutors Say

HOUGHTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN — A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of his 87-year-old grandfather, a case prosecutors say involved his mother and featured bizarre claims of paranormal forces and assertions that the victim was “not grandpa.”

Jacob Kempainen entered the plea this week in Houghton County court in the death of Alvin Kempainen. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed an open murder count along with conspiracy and firearm charges. As part of the agreement, Jacob Kempainen must cooperate fully and testify truthfully against his co-defendant and mother, Margaret Kempainen, who has not been offered a plea deal.

Trip From Wisconsin Raises Alarm

Investigators say the killing followed a December 2023 trip from Wisconsin to Michigan. Authorities allege Jacob Kempainen and his mother traveled to the elder Kempainen’s rural home in Bruce Crossing.

Court documents indicate Jacob’s father noticed a debit-card transaction in Bruce Crossing and feared his father might be in danger, believing the trip was motivated by an attempt to get money. Shortly thereafter, Alvin Kempainen texted his son that “the crew” had arrived. Communication then abruptly stopped.

Wellness Check Finds Gunshot Victim

Deputies from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a wellness check on December 19, 2023, at a residence on Salo Road, a few miles south of Lake Superior. First responders found Alvin Kempainen suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators quickly identified Jacob and Margaret Kempainen as suspects. Authorities later located the pair driving south on Interstate 35 toward Iowa and coordinated with local police to stop them at a gas station, where they were taken into custody.

Bizarre Claims: “Not Grandpa”

The case took an unusual turn during interviews. According to search-warrant materials, Jacob Kempainen told officers that when they arrived, his grandfather had already been killed by malevolent spirits, and that the person inside the home was “not grandpa.” He claimed spirits said the elder had opened a well behind the house and was killed as a result.

Prosecutors say Margaret Kempainen echoed similarly strange assertions, claiming the man in the house was not her father-in-law and that he was moving “like a 20-year-old.” She also allegedly told police that her son was the shooter.

Plea Strategy Focuses on Mother’s Trial

The plea agreement is designed to strengthen the prosecution’s case against Margaret Kempainen, whose jury trial is scheduled next month. Dan Helmer, the Houghton County Prosecuting Attorney, said the decision reflects both recent legal constraints and the priority of securing a conviction against the mother.

Helmer cited a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that limits automatic life-without-parole sentences for 20-year-olds, reducing leverage in negotiations because Jacob Kempainen was 20 at the time of the killing. “Another strong factor,” Helmer said, was doing everything possible to secure a conviction against Margaret Kempainen for her alleged role.

What Happens Next

Jacob Kempainen is expected to be sentenced within three months. Under the plea, he must testify against his mother, and any failure to do so truthfully could jeopardize the agreement. Margaret Kempainen remains charged and awaiting trial, with prosecutors indicating no plea offer has been extended.

A Case That Defies Easy Explanation

Authorities have emphasized the evidence-based timeline—the trip, the last texts, the wellness check, the gunshot wound—while acknowledging the defendants’ extraordinary claims about spirits and identity. Prosecutors say those assertions will be tested in court as the state pursues accountability for the death of Alvin Kempainen.

As the case proceeds, it underscores how family violence can intersect with delusional narratives, leaving investigators to parse fact from fiction while seeking justice for an elderly victim.

For continued updates on court proceedings and major criminal cases across the Midwest and beyond, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.