Stabbing victims remain hospitalized

Kelly Dame

The events surrounding a fatal stabbing that occurred Tuesday morning at a Geneva Township home remain under investigation.

On Wednesday, Midland County Prosecutor Mike Carpenter declined to release details about what occurred. He said the people who know what happened - the victims - were traumatically injured, then endured surgery and had not yet spoken with investigators.

"The only person who knows for sure is the person who did it," Carpenter said this morning, adding that person has been charged and has the right to not speak with investigators. He also said he has not yet received the full written report from investigators on the stabbing.

Carpenter was working to uncover the dynamics of the family, which includes a divorce and a remarriage, biological children from the first marriage and multiple adoptions.

Charged as an adult in the case is 15-year-old Steven Jeffrey Pribbernow Jr. He faces one count of open murder and three counts of assault with the intent to commit murder.

Both are felonies punishable by up to life in prison. He was arraigned Tuesday and is being held without bond in the county jail. The case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 18.

He was taken into custody after a 911 call brought Midland County Sheriff's deputies and first responders to 5180 W. McNally Road. They found multiple victims, as well as the suspect.

Killed was 17-year-old Justin Steven Pribbernow, a 2009 graduate from H.H. Dow High School.

Joshua Saylor, 32, remains in fair condition this morning at the St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital, where he was taken by FlightCare after the incident. It is believed that Kevin David Pribbernow, 15, was taken to Covenant HealthCare, and Kody Christopher Pribbernow, 13 1/2, was taken to the MidMichigan Medical Center. However, the boys are not listed as patients.

Principal Mary Pitchford of Coleman High School said Justin Pribbernow "was a respectful, nice young man and a good student." He attended Coleman schools at one point in time.

According to a blog set up by a family member, Justin was planning to join the U.S. Marine Corps this year. The site also asks for donations for the family, which does not have life insurance. The site is http://jessicaandjoshdonate.blogspot.com/

Some of the family's children also attended Midland Public Schools. Superintendent Carl Ellinger said, "From what I know …they're good kids."

"Just a nice normal family coming to the school system."

Reporter Angela E. Lackey contributed to this story.