Michigan – In a tragic and deeply disturbing case out of Michigan, a 39-year-old man, James H., is facing first-degree murder and multiple felony charges after killing his mother, Kristine H., 59, inside her own home—the same home where she had allowed him to live. The case has shocked the community and raised painful questions about trust, family, and safety.
According to investigators, the motive behind the killing was chillingly simple: James was angry that his mother was “parenting” him — offering guidance and criticism about his life choices. In a rage, he smothered her with a pillow, then stole her money, jewelry, and vehicle before fleeing the scene. James is charged with first-degree murder, motor vehicle—unlawful driving away, and larceny in a building, all stemming from the death of his mother. The chain of events began on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, when police were called to a home after Kristine’s brother reported her unresponsive in bed. The family had spent time together the night before and planned to reunite that day. But when Kristine didn’t answer her phone—something very unlike her—her brother went to check on her. Finding her vehicle missing and the house locked, he forced entry through a back door and made a grim discovery: Kristine was lying in bed, fully clothed, and unresponsive.
At first glance, officers noted no immediate visible signs of injury. But as more officers arrived, they saw bruising on the victim’s neck and other indicators suggestive of a struggle. The Medical Examiner’s Office was notified, and the victim was removed for further examination. Officers also learned that Kristine had allowed her son James to move in with her about six months to a year earlier. Family members told police that Kristine had been afraid of her son, often sleeping with her bedroom door locked at night and never allowing him to drive her vehicle. It also came out that James had an open felony warrant for breaking and entering at the time. As detectives began checking the victim’s vehicle and the suspect through the statewide law-enforcement network, they received information that the vehicle had been detected in the area. While interviewing family members, they were notified by Kristine’s daughter that James had contacted their father and admitted to killing their mother. Meanwhile, officers from the Department of Public Safety had already taken James into custody on the open felony warrant. He was found in the parking lot of a local party store inside the stolen vehicle after a clerk reported a man using the store’s phone saying he was thinking about killing himself. During their contact with him, James told police he had recently killed his mother.
James was held at the Department of Public Safety facility, and police department investigators quickly responded to interview him. During the interview, James repeated his admission that he had killed his mother. According to James, on the evening of Monday, November 24th, his mother called him into her bedroom and began verbally scolding him for his life choices and for “not amounting to anything.” James told investigators that he became tired of hearing it, climbed on top of her, and used a pillow to smother her to death. After committing the murder, James admitted he took his mother’s money and jewelry, took her vehicle, and drove away. He said he stopped at the store to use the phone to call his father, whom he thought lived nearby. James acknowledged to officers that he told his father he had killed his mother. Investigators also learned he had been using the stolen money to gamble at a local casino after renting a room. The medical examiner later ruled Kristine’s death a homicide by strangulation and suffocation.
Police Chief Narsh offered heartfelt support for the victim’s family, saying, “On behalf of the Police Department, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family who loved and cared for Kristine.” He praised officers for working tirelessly to bring closure to the case in less than 24 hours and thanked the Department of Public Safety. Chief Narsh also summed up the tragic motive prosecutors uncovered: “James was angry his mother was parenting him…so he killed her. He took the life, … that gave him life. Then he took her money, her jewelry, and her vehicle because he was challenged on his life choices. Then he went to a casino.”
James was taken into custody by police and initially arraigned on the open felony warrant. His bond was set at $100,000, and he was lodged at the county jail. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, James appeared before Judge J. Fabrizio for arraignment on the homicide-related charges. Bond was denied due to the severity of the crimes and the risk he poses. James is scheduled to appear for a probable cause conference on December 23, 2025. As the legal process moves forward, prosecutors are preparing for a case that could see James sentenced to life without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. The community continues to grapple with the senseless loss of a mother at the hands of the very son she took in.
