In what should have been a time of joyful anticipation, the life of 35-year-old Michelle Ann 'Mikie' Krek was tragically cut short on March 28, 2018. A resident of Cecil Township, near Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Michelle was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, known for a vibrant personality that could light up any room she entered. A graduate of South Fayette High School and holding a Master's Degree from Robert Morris University, she was a dedicated professional, working as a Sales Service Manager at Tigg Corporation. At the time of her death, she was excitedly preparing for the arrival of her first child, a son she had already named Logan.
The devastating event unfolded inside the Southpointe Town Center apartment she shared with her boyfriend, 38-year-old Naader E. Rizk. It was there that Rizk fatally shot Michelle before turning the gun on himself in a horrific murder-suicide. Michelle, who was eight months pregnant, and her unborn son Logan, both perished in the incident. The news sent shockwaves through the community and left her family, including her parents, Butch and Bernadette Krek, and her siblings, reeling from the sudden and violent loss.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there were no arrests to be made as the perpetrator had taken his own life. The investigation confirmed the incident as a murder-suicide, leaving a community to mourn and a family to navigate a future without their cherished 'Mikie' and the grandson they were so eagerly awaiting. In the years that have followed, Michelle's family has chosen to honor her memory through advocacy, raising awareness and funds for organizations that support victims of domestic violence, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing a similar, heartbreaking loss.
