ALGONAC, Mich. — The tight-knit communities of Pearl Beach and Algonac are reeling this week following the tragic deaths of two local teenagers in separate incidents, leaving families, classmates, and neighbors struggling to process the heartbreaking loss.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, deputies were dispatched to Lakeshore Road in Fort Gratiot Township after reports of an injured person. Upon arrival, officers located 16-year-old Arianna Squires, a student at Algonac High School and a resident of Pearl Beach. She had sustained severe injuries. Despite being rushed to McLaren Macomb Hospital, Squires later succumbed to her injuries.

Authorities have not released further details surrounding the events that led to her injuries, and the investigation remains ongoing. News of her passing has sent shockwaves through the school community, where friends describe Arianna as a vibrant young woman who was kindhearted, creative, and full of life.

“She was the type of person who lit up a room,” said one classmate. “She always had a smile, and she made you feel like you mattered. It doesn’t seem real that she’s gone.”

Meanwhile, the Algonac community is also mourning the death of Kevin Karolak, another local teen whose life was tragically cut short in a separate incident. While details surrounding Kevin’s passing remain limited, the impact of his loss has been felt deeply by friends and neighbors who describe him as compassionate, loyal, and dedicated to his family and friends.

Both tragedies have placed a heavy burden on the Algonac Community School District, where grief counselors have been made available to students struggling to cope with the sudden loss of two peers in such a short span of time.

Community members have begun to rally around the families, offering meals, support, and fundraising efforts to help ease the burden in the difficult days ahead. Vigils are being organized, with residents planning to gather at local parks and along the riverfront to honor Arianna and Kevin’s memory.

“Our hearts are broken for these families,” said one Pearl Beach resident. “The loss of young lives is devastating, and it’s something no parent should ever have to endure. All we can do is come together and surround them with love.”

As investigators continue their work, the broader community has turned to faith and fellowship, drawing strength from one another while remembering the bright futures that were cut short far too soon.

The Pearl Beach and Algonac communities are mourning the tragic loss of Kevin Karolak (9/14/2025 – 15y/o), a beloved resident whose passing has left family, friends, and neighbors heartbroken. Kevin died by suicide, a reminder of the silent battles many face, and his death has cast a shadow of grief over all who knew him.

Kevin will be remembered not only for the way his life ended, but more importantly for the life he lived. Friends describe him as kind-hearted, approachable, and someone who was always willing to lend a hand. Whether through his work, time spent with loved ones, or his everyday presence in the community, Kevin had a way of making people feel valued and respected. His humor, compassion, and loyalty to those close to him will never be forgotten.