HOUGHTON — Money may have been a motive in the murder of a Hancock Township man, a family member told police during the investigation.

Jacob Kempainen, 20, and his mother Margaret Kempainen, 50, both of Hartland, Wisconsin, are both charged with open murder and conspiracy to commit open murder.

On the morning of Dec. 19, police reported to the home of Alvin Kempainen, 87, who was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Jacob Kempainen, Alvin’s grandson, was identified by Margaret as the shooter, according to an affidavit filed with the search warrant application.

The search warrant for Jacob’s Minneapolis home was filed in Hennepin County District County Jan. 17.

Police had been told to check on Alvin’s home by relatives, who’d received word from Kempainen’s son, Alan Kempainen, the night before that Jacob and his wife Margaret might be going to Alvin’s house to seek money.

Alan has a joint checking account with Margaret and received notifications she had used her debit card at the Settler’s Co-op in Bruce Crossing, leading him to believe she was heading to his father’s house.

Alan told police “he feared for his father’s safety because he did not know what Margaret or the children would do if Alvin did not give them money,” according to the affidavit.

He texted Alvin to say they were probably heading to his house to get money. He received a text from his father around 10 p.m. Dec. 18 telling him “the crew has arrived Will see what happens.” Alan sent three more texts to Alvin, but received no response, the affidavit said.

The next night, Margaret, Jacob and a juvenile girl were taken into custody in Clear Lake, Iowa, after police were notified of a debit card transaction at a Kwik Trip.

In a police interview afterward, the juvenile girl said Jacob had told her to stay in the car when they arrived, and that Margaret carried a gun when they arrived at the house.

The defendants’ accounts also incorporated witchcraft. Talking with the Minnesota state agent preparing the affidavit, Houghton County Det. Lt. Charlie Klein noted similarities to the plot of the 2015 Night Shyamalan movie “The Visit.”

Jacob told police they were going to their grandfather’s house for shelter, and that he had believed his grandfather to be dead. He referenced communications with unnamed spirits, whom he said told him they had killed Alvin after he opened up the well behind the house.

Jacob told police his father had killed people and dumped them in the well. Klein later said Jacob had believed the previous victims had possessed Alvin’s body.

Margaret told police Alvin had come to her in a dream several weeks before to tell her he had died. When they arrived at the house, she said, he was able to move around abnormally quickly “like a 20-year-old.”

After Alvin approached “in a threatening manner,” Margaret said, Jacob shot him in the head. When Alvin tried to get up, she told Jacob to shoot him again, Margaret told police.

Jacob has an apartment in Minneapolis, where he was attending college. Police executed a search warrant there on Dec. 26, where they found items including a box for a 9mm firearm and a receipt for a holster. Jacob is the only person who lives at the unit, Alan told investigators.

Police searched for, but were unable to find, a cooler of drugs Alan had told them belonged to Jacob. Klein told the Minnesota officer Alan had been concerned Jacob was using substances that affected his judgment and reasoning.

After the property manager found packages addressed to Jacob at their office, a judge approved another warrant on Jan. 8.

The warrant mentioned packages related to firearms or containing crystals and stones. It also listed any documents or writings that could indicate motive or show evidence of planning.

Police also sought items related to paranormal activity or bodily possession, including “The Visit.”

Seven packages were entered into evidence on Jan. 9, many from crystal and gemstone companies. The building’s manager thought two of the packages may have been gun cases.

If found guilty, Jacob and Margaret could be sentenced to up to life in prison. Jacob Kempainen also faces an additional felony firearms charge, a two-year felony.

Jacob and Margaret are both being evaluated for competency to stand trial. Jacob has a review hearing in 97th District Court scheduled for March 8, while Margaret’s is set for March 22.