Suspect arrested in Tarwacki double murder

Police stand outside of a home on N. 16th Street in Niles Wednesday afternoon. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Police have taken into custody a man believed to be responsible for the double murder of Niles couple John and Carolyn Tarwacki in February 2010.

Keith Lintz, 28, of Niles, was taken into custody by Michigan State Police officers sometime Wednesday, according to Lintz’ mother, Sherry Lintz.

Several police cars were parked outside of a home at 608 N. 16th St. in Niles. Many officers were standing outside the home.

Sherry said her son was staying at that home Wednesday.

A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Law and Courts Building in Cassopolis to discuss the results of the Tarwacki murder investigation.

The murders took place Feb. 5, 2010.

Officers initially indicated they believed the killer had parked his car on Yankee Street, near the Tarwackis’ home on Carberry Road, in the early morning hours of the day of the murder.

Investigators told the Star in 2010 they believed the killer was walking on Yankee Street at least twice between 6 and 8:30 a.m.

There were no signs of forced entry at the house, and the killer is believed to have used two weapons. Detective Sgt. Fabian Suarez, of the Michigan State Police Post in Niles, told the Star last year the crime scene was “pretty sterile.”

“The whole scene doesn’t make a lot of sense to you,” he said.

The Tarwackis worked at Quinlan & Fabish Music Co. in Stevensville and, according to family and friends, were respected in the community.

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