Waterproofing company, breakup at heart of homicide outdoors Ann Arbor-region fitness center

ANN ARBOR, MI — A waterproofing company and a current breakup had been at the heart of a homicide in Washtenaw County earlier this year, according to records released by police.

Michael Anthony Elinski, 59, was located dead Friday, Jan. 20, the day right after police stated he shot his former girlfriend. Records obtained by the MLive/The Ann Arbor News from the Pittsfield Township Police Division by means of a Freedom of Facts Act request reveal a waterproofing company, a breakup and mental wellness struggles had been variables in the fatal shooting.

Andrea Grant, 50, of Plymouth, was located dead in her car or truck outdoors Thrive Instruction Facility physical instruction center in the 3700 block of Plaza Drive on Thursday, Jan. 19. Grant had been shot eight occasions, according to a healthcare examiner’s report — twice in the neck and head and six occasions in the physique.

Michael Elinski, Grant’s former boyfriend, was rapidly identified by police as the suspect.

“I’m not right here to defend him in any way, shape or type,” Kyle Elinski, Michael Elinski’s son, told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. His dad was a fantastic individual to a lot of people today, but struggled with mental wellness challenges, he stated.

Other members of Michael Elinski’s loved ones declined to comment. Loved ones members of Grant did not respond to requests for comment.

The connection

Michael Elinski grew up in Detroit and graduated from Cody Higher College, according to Kyle Elinski. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1980s and launched his waterproofing firm roughly 15 years ago. Kyle Elinski took more than the firm in 2017.

Grant was greatest identified for how significantly she loved her two daughters, according to an obituary published by Schrader-Howell Funeral Property.

“Whether it was becoming chosen as homecoming queen, earning a softball scholarship, becoming a director of a ‘Fortune 100′ firm, or having a new firm up and off the ground — Andrea was a rockstar,” her obituary reads. “She was a single of a sort that could juggle two laptops, 3 phones, a volleyball schedule, loved ones functions, and exercise regimen all whilst generating time to retain in touch with all she loved and supported.”

The pair met various years ago when Grant reached out to Michael Elinski’s firm to get her basement waterproofed, according to the police report. The pair began dating shortly right after and Grant quickly joined the firm, the report states. She became the owner in 2021, according to LARA documents.

The pair had an outwardly delighted connection, Kyle Elinski told police, but his father had increasingly struggled with mental wellness challenges. Michael Elinski had blocked loved ones members he generally had a close connection with from his cell telephone, and had been leaving “obsessive” voicemails and text messages for Grant, his son stated.

In spite of a declining mental wellness predicament, Michael Elinski’s pals and loved ones attempted to get him enable, according to the police report.

Grant’s individual trainer at Thrive told police she had usually talked with Grant about her connection, saying that Grant had stated she was worried about Elinksi’s emotional stability, according to the police report.

The breakup

Grant broke up with Michael Elinski in June 2022, according to a individual protection order she filed against him.

“(Michael Elinski) has constantly had an unpredictable and volatile character, but more than the final year and specifically in the final six months, items have spiraled out of manage,” Grant wrote in her request for the order.

In the request, she also cited earlier physical abuse Elinksi perpetuated against former partners and how he harassed staff, contractors, pals and loved ones.

Grant, now the sole owner of the firm, fired Michael Elinski roughly 5 weeks prior to police stated he killed her, the police report states. Megan Elinski, Michael Elinski’s daughter, told police the firing was simply because of how “mean and disrespectful her father was,” investigators wrote in the report.

The day right after police stated he shot Grant, Michael Elinksi was located dead in his car or truck in Clare. His death was ruled a suicide, according to the police report. He was living in Brooklyn, Michigan, at the time.

Kyle Elinski stated he hopes Grant’s daughters are sooner or later in a position to discover peace.

“(Grant) was attempting to enable my dad all the way to the finish. She was by no means providing up on him she just wanted to give him enable,” Kyle Elinski stated. “She did all that she could. She did so significantly for him. It is just unexplainable how significantly she attempted.”

He encouraged these who are struggling with mental wellness challenges to attain out.

“It’s OK to get enable,” he stated. “It’s OK to speak to somebody and speak to somebody usually.”

Everyone experiencing thoughts of suicide can seek enable from:

• The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
• The Ozone Residence, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.
• The 24-hour hotline at University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Solutions at 734-936-5900.
• The Washtenaw County Neighborhood Mental Overall health crisis group at 734-544-3050.

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