Cass County murder suspect on Yankee Street twice Friday morning

NILES — Whoever killed Carolyn and John Tarwacki in their home on Carberry Road Friday morning walked to their residence from Yankee Street and appeared to retrace his steps after the crime, police said Tuesday. "We know for 100 percent the suspect was on Yankee Street at least twice that morning’’ said First Lt. Michael Brown, commander of Michigan State Police in Niles. Asked if the suspect might have parked a vehicle on Yankee, Brown said it’s possible but he couldn’t say for certain. He said the man originally listed as a "suspicious person’’ in the aftermath of the slayings would have been on Yankee Street, east of Carberry Road, initially between about 6:30 and 7 a.m. As much as an hour may have elapsed before he returned to Yankee Street, the post commander said. The Tarwackis lived at 979 Carberry Road, only a few houses from Yankee Street. The walk to their house likely would have taken about 10 minutes, if that. "Anyone traveling this route last Friday ... is asked to remember anyone on foot or possibly near a parked vehicle on Yankee Street or Carberry Road,’’ police said in a prepared statement. "The person of interest is described as a white male, 20 to 30 years of age with brown hair and a medium build. "Motorists driving to work or school, traveling on Yankee near Carberry, are being asked to recall any person along the roadway near this location on Friday.’’ Although autopsies have been completed at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, authorities are still withholding the cause of death. "Because a suspect is not in custody, we are obligated not to release the exact cause of death or specific weapons in order to effectively investigate and prosecute this case,’’ Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said. Tuesday’s statement did say, however, that "both victims died of violent means involving weapons by a single assailant.’’ The statement added that detectives have followed up on more than 100 tips provided by the public and family members. As a result, several persons of interest have been eliminated over the last three days, Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez said. The detective said the families of the Tarwackis have been "very helpful and open with investigators.’’ Authorities from three police agencies are investigating the case, police said. Carolyn Tarwacki, 39, and John Tarwacki, 42, both worked for the music education company Quinlan & Fabish in Stevensville. Carolyn Tarwacki in particular was in regular contact with band directors and music students in southwestern Michigan public schools, supplying them with instruments, instrument parts and music. John Tarwacki also was operations manager for the nonprofit organization Downtown South Bend. In addition, he operated the couple’s carpet-cleaning business from their home. The Tarwackis were extremely popular, as evidenced by the nearly 200 people who turned out for a candlelight vigil Monday night at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Grounds. at 17th and Lake streets. Police asked also in Tuesday’s statement that they be contacted by anyone who remembers anything out of the ordinary about the Tarwackis’ friends or associates. They also want to hear from anyone aware of any person who’s particularly familiar with the Tarwacki residence. The number to call is (269) 683-4411. "Our sincere sympathies go to the families of the friends of the victims as investigators work diligently to solve this terrible crime,’’ Brown said. Staff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-3551