In the quiet city of Traverse City, Michigan, a life was lost on March 1, 2019. Karl Robert Stanfield, a 37-year-old male, passed away, leaving behind a community to mourn his unexpected departure. Born on March 21, 1981, Karl had been a resident of Traverse City since 1989 and was a graduate of Traverse City Central High School.
The circumstances of Karl's death were tragic.
His life came to an end in connection with a house fire, and it was determined that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His passing was ruled a suicide. There were no suspects or arrests in connection with his death.
Karl’s mother later revealed that her son had battled with bipolar disorder for 14 years. In the years leading up to his death, he had been hospitalized multiple times and had spent time in jail. Just two weeks before he died, he had expressed to his mother his frustration with his illness and his desire to no longer be incarcerated. His family asked that memorial donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Grand Traverse in his name.
