ANN ARBOR, MI — A waterproofing enterprise and a latest breakup had been on the coronary heart of a murder in Washtenaw County earlier this 12 months, based on information launched by police.

Michael Anthony Elinski, 59, was discovered lifeless Friday, Jan. 20, the day after police mentioned he shot his former girlfriend. Data obtained by the MLive/The Ann Arbor Information from the Pittsfield Township Police Division by means of a Freedom of Data Act request reveal a waterproofing enterprise, a breakup and psychological well being struggles had been components within the deadly capturing.

Andrea Grant, 50, of Plymouth, was discovered lifeless in her automobile exterior Thrive Coaching Facility bodily coaching heart within the 3700 block of Plaza Drive on Thursday, Jan. 19. Grant had been shot eight instances, based on a health worker’s report — twice within the neck and head and 6 instances within the physique.

Michael Elinski, Grant’s former boyfriend, was rapidly recognized by police because the suspect.

“I’m not right here to defend him in any approach, form or kind,” Kyle Elinski, Michael Elinski’s son, informed MLive/The Ann Arbor Information. His dad was individual to lots of people, however struggled with psychological well being points, he mentioned.

Different members of Michael Elinski’s household declined to remark. Relations of Grant didn’t reply to requests for remark.

The connection

Michael Elinski grew up in Detroit and graduated from Cody Excessive Faculty, based on Kyle Elinski. He served within the U.S. Military within the Eighties and launched his waterproofing firm roughly 15 years in the past. Kyle Elinski took over the corporate in 2017.

Grant was finest recognized for the way a lot she cherished her two daughters, based on an obituary revealed by Schrader-Howell Funeral House.

“Whether or not it was being chosen as homecoming queen, incomes a softball scholarship, being a director of a ‘Fortune 100′ firm, or getting a brand new firm up and off the bottom — Andrea was a rockstar,” her obituary reads. “She was one among a sort that might juggle two laptops, three telephones, a volleyball schedule, household capabilities, and exercise routine all whereas making time to be in contact with all she cherished and supported.”

The pair met a number of years in the past when Grant reached out to Michael Elinski’s firm to get her basement waterproofed, based on the police report. The pair began courting shortly after and Grant quickly joined the corporate, the report states. She grew to become the proprietor in 2021, based on LARA paperwork.

The pair had an outwardly comfortable relationship, Kyle Elinski informed police, however his father had more and more struggled with psychological well being points. Michael Elinski had blocked members of the family he usually had an in depth relationship with from his cellular phone, and had been leaving “obsessive” voicemails and textual content messages for Grant, his son mentioned.

Regardless of a declining psychological well being scenario, Michael Elinski’s family and friends tried to get him assist, based on the police report.

Grant’s private coach at Thrive informed police she had typically talked with Grant about her relationship, saying that Grant had mentioned she was frightened about Elinksi’s emotional stability, based on the police report.

The breakup

Grant broke up with Michael Elinski in June 2022, based on a private safety order she filed in opposition to him.

“(Michael Elinski) has all the time had an unpredictable and unstable persona, however over the past 12 months and particularly within the final six months, issues have spiraled uncontrolled,” Grant wrote in her request for the order.

Within the request, she additionally cited earlier bodily abuse Elinksi perpetuated in opposition to former companions and the way he harassed staff, contractors, family and friends.

Grant, now the only proprietor of the corporate, fired Michael Elinski roughly 5 weeks earlier than police mentioned he killed her, the police report states. Megan Elinski, Michael Elinski’s daughter, informed police the firing was due to how “imply and disrespectful her father was,” investigators wrote within the report.

The day after police mentioned he shot Grant, Michael Elinksi was discovered lifeless in his automobile in Clare. His demise was dominated a suicide, based on the police report. He was dwelling in Brooklyn, Michigan, on the time.

Kyle Elinski mentioned he hopes Grant’s daughters are finally capable of finding peace.

“(Grant) was making an attempt to assist my dad all the way in which to the tip. She was by no means giving up on him; she simply wished to offer him assist,” Kyle Elinski mentioned. “She did all that she may. She did a lot for him. It’s simply unexplainable how a lot she tried.”

He inspired those that are battling psychological well being points to succeed in out.

“It’s OK to get assist,” he mentioned. “It’s OK to speak to anyone and discuss to anyone typically.”

Anybody experiencing ideas of suicide can search assist from:

• The 24-hour Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
• The Ozone Home, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.
• The 24-hour hotline at College of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Companies at 734-936-5900.
• The Washtenaw County Neighborhood Psychological Well being disaster group at 734-544-3050.

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