Vermilion man pleads guilty in wife's death

Editor's note: If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, call or text the 988 lifeline. VERMILION — A Vermilion man pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with his wife's September 2024 death. Michael J. Krupienski, 72, of the 900 block of Nautical Drive, pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony. Michael Krupienski pleaded guilty to the one charge in exchange for the following charges to be dismissed: • One count of murder, an unclassified felony • One count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony • One count of assisting suicide, a third-degree felony • One count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony • One count of complicity to having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony • One count of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony Michael Krupienski is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 21. Background Vermilion police arrested Krupienski after he allegedly made a phone call to police in the early morning hours of Sept. 29, stating that his wife shot herself in the head, according to a Vermilion police report. Once officers and first responders arrived at the residence, his wife, Marie Krupienski, 81, was pronounced deceased, the report states. The Register does not typically identify those who die by suicide, but is doing so due to the felony-level charges filed relating to her death. An officer began to speak with Michael Krupienski about what had occurred. Michael Krupienski told the officer that he and his wife had been drinking for most of the day prior but that his wife allegedly started drinking earlier than he did, the report states. Michael Krupienski told the officer that his wife was unhappy due to the anniversary of a close relative who died by suicide several years prior, the report states. When the officer asked Michael Krupienski about the gun that his wife used to shoot herself, Michael Krupienski admitted to the officer that he gave her the loaded gun, the report states. He added that his wife had made suicidal statements in the past and that he had previously given her a firearm. Due to the officer's initial findings, police contacted the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for assistance in processing the scene. Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter previously told the Register that he pursued a murder charge against Michael Krupienski due to circumstantial evidence and inconsistent statements made by Krupienski when questioned.