59-year-old woman died after her 39-year-old son she allowed to move in with her held a pillow over her face just because he was angry “she was parenting him;” son charged
Michigan – In a deeply unsettling case in Michigan, a 39-year-old man, identified as James H. now faces the most serious charges possible after killing his 59-year-old mother, identified as Kristine H., while he lived under her roof. 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. Prosecutors say James took her life in a violent act of rage simply because he didn’t like being “parented” by her. Authorities say James then took her money, jewelry, and vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The tragic sequence of events came to light on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, around 1:55 p.m., when police were dispatched to a home after a family member reported a 59-year-old woman was unresponsive in her bed. The person who called police identified himself as the victim’s brother and said it was unusual that she wasn’t answering her phone. The family had been together the night before and planned to meet again that day. When her vehicle was missing and the doors were locked, he forced open a rear door and found Kristine in her bedroom, fully clothed and lying in bed.
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.
