ALPENA COUNTY, MI – Two men found dead in the debris of an Alpena County house fire were killed in an apparent murder-suicide, according to police.
The Michigan State Police Alpena post had been investigating the incident, which occurred at approximately 1:13 p.m. on Aug. 13 at 6904 Long Lake Road in Alpena Township.
RELATED: Police identify two bodies found at scene of Alpena County house fire
An autopsy revealed that Michael Phillip Polluch, 58, of Alpena was killed by by several gunshot wounds to the body while 60-year-old James Anthony Polluch of Stanwood was killed by a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. A 40-caliber handgun was recovered in the debris.
The motive for the murder-suicide appears to be a lengthy disagreement between the brothers regarding family matters, according to police.
The cause of the fire and ignition source could not be determined due to the extent of damage and multiple sources of combustibles that were stored inside the building.
The Alpena Fire Department also responded to the scene. An exterior building was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. The two bodies were found in the debris.