Firefighters on scene of house fire in Sparta Township. Photo from WOODTV.com

A 24-year-old woman died in a fire in Sparta Township Monday, and a man living in the house has been charged with her murder.

Sparta Township firefighters responded to the call at 9045 Vinton, in Sparta Township, about 2:30 a.m. Monday morning, March 12. They found the body of 24-year-old Kori VanHulle, formerly of Kingsley, under rubble in the basement. She reportedly died of smoke inhalation.

VanHulle lived in the basement of the home with her boyfriend, Steven Rish. Three other people also lived in the home: the owner, Paul Preston; Vanessa McCarty, a woman who cared for Preston; and Michael Piranian, 62.

Police believe it was Piranian that set the fire, and he has been arrested and charged with Homicide—felony murder; Arson of a dwelling; and Assault with intent to murder victim.

Michael Piranian

According to a probably cause affidavit submitted by Kent County Sheriff Department, Piranian allegedly told them that he set the fire under the basement stairs, went into his bedroom (also in the basement) and got a 2-1/2 foot long pipe, then headed up the stairs to McCarty’s bedroom. There he proceeded to beat her with the pipe. The woman told police he threatened that he was going to kill her while beating her. The homeowner heard the woman screaming and found the suspect beating her, and wrestled him to get him to stop. Meanwhile he noticed smoke and the smoke alarms going off. All three managed to get out of the house. Firefighters found the suspect hiding behind an outbuilding.

Meanwhile, Rish woke up and saw flames, and tried to help VanHulle out, but didn’t succeed. Rish made it out but was burned in the fire.

Police noted that Piranian admitted his intention to kill McCarty and Preston and then die himself from the smoke of the fire, and that he did nothing to warn the other two about the fire.

Piranian was arraigned in the 63rd District Court and his bond was set at $500,000 cash surety.

By Judy Reed
Last Friday, October 28, marked the one-year anniversary of the murders of Michael and Kathleen Greene, of Pierson. One year, and still no answers.
The bodies of Michael Thomas Greene, 59, and his wife, Kathleen Marie Greene, 56, were found in the basement of their smoldering residence Thursday evening, October 28, 2010 at 3063 Shore Crest Drive, on Big Whitefish Lake, in Pierson Township. The Howard City fire department and Montcalm County Ems responded to the scene about 11:18 p.m. on a fire call and reported finding the two bodies inside the house. The couple had been stabbed to death.
According to Montcalm County Sheriff Bill Barnwell, there are some items that are unaccounted for from within the home (including cash and prescription pain killers) that may have been taken by the suspects.
Barnwell said that officers and investigators with the Montcalm Sheriff Office and the Michigan state police have spent countless hours investigating the deaths. Numerous search warrants have been issued and large amounts of evidence gathered. They discussed the case with both the FBI and ATF. Calls and tips are still coming in, and are being followed up on.
Police are still searching for a larger white vehicle, possibly a SUV-style vehicle, and an individual seen in the area prior to the homicides (see sketch).
To throw another monkey wrench into the mix, another man named Michael Greene and his wife were murdered in Eaton County in September 2011. In that case, Michael Greene, 62, was found inside the home, and his wife, Terry, 46, was found in a pond behind the house. Police don’t know if the murders are connected, or a case of mistaken identity, but plan to check on the case with Eaton police.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Tom Goerge of the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office at 989-831-7516, the Sheriff tip line at 989-831-7593, or Silent Observer at 866-774-2345.