HARTLAND — The Hartland Police Department has identified the six victims who were killed in a house fire earlier this week.
Officials say the victims were four kids and two adults. All six of the victims lived in the same unit.
The children were 12-year-old Sofina Kleemeier, 14-year-old Natalie Kleemeier, and two three-year-old boys. The adults were identified as Connor and Jessica McKisick.
Sofina Kleemeier was a 7th grader at North Shore Middle School and Natalie Kleemeier was a freshman at Arrowhead High School.
Charolette Riege is a friend of Natalie who heard news of her passing on Friday.
"I feel like I'm stuck in a dream that keeps replaying over and over again," said Riege." She always came to school with a smile on her face even if it wasn’t a good day for her. She was there for anyone who needed her."
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Both schools sent a note to parents Sunday night saying they will be providing a number of grief counseling services to students throughout the week as they grieve the loss of both students.
David Grevenkamp, a science teacher at North Shore Middle School, led a vigil in prayer on the night of the tragedy.
"I'm still in shock," said Grevenkamp. "Monday's gonna be a hard day. I know that our schools and our communities have counseling in place and have things in place for students and community members who need help and need people to talk to."
The fire happened on Mansfield Court Friday around 5 a.m.
Laura Myrah, the Arrowhead High School Superintendent and Student Services Department/Crisis Response Team, released the following statement:
Dear Arrowhead High School Parents and Guardians,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that Arrowhead Freshman Natalie Kleemeier died in relation to the Hartland apartment fire in the early morning hours of October 21, 2022. While this matter remains under active investigation by law enforcement agencies, we do have the support of the Hartland Police Chief in sharing Natalie’s identity at this time. The entire Arrowhead High School community is deeply saddened by this untimely event.
Natalie was a student who was friends with and made positive connections with many Arrowhead students and staff members. She was a freshman who was known as a quiet but funny young woman who cared for those around her.
Upon receiving the news of Natalie’s death, our Arrowhead’s Crisis Response Team met to plan for the support of our students and staff. For those students who were immediately privy to this information, throughout Friday, counselors, psychologists and teachers were responsive to students’ emotional needs. Students were permitted to leave class throughout the day to go to the counseling office when desired, as well as excused to go home with parent permission. We will continue to assess the emotional needs of our students and staff and plan accordingly on Monday and in the coming weeks.
This letter is being sent not only because we wanted you to have this important information, but also wanted you to be in the best possible position to support your child(ren) throughout this evening and as they return to school on Monday. If you believe your child is having a particularly difficult time with this news, please alert her/his school counselor so we can ensure special support is provided to your child, and potential external resources and/or references can be shared with you. The bottom portion of this letter is a resource from the National Association of School Psychologists on supporting children and adolescents through grief.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Natalie at this very difficult time. If family members desire, we will share funeral arrangements at a later date. Thank you for your support and give your own child(ren) an extra hug tonight.
Sincerely,
Laura Myrah, Superintendent & Student Services Department/Crisis Response Team
