COMSTOCK, MI -- It was an argument over cooking a meal that led to Monday's fatal shooting of Nancy Kovach, 40, by her husband, John, in the couple's Comstock Township home, said Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas.

"There was an argument at the residence that simply escalated. It was a dumb argument," Matyas said. "They were arguing over who was going to cook something. That simply escalated to the point where he shot her."

The Kovachs' 10-year-old and 8-year-old sons were inside the home at the time of the shooting, Matyas said. The boys were put in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Matyas said alcohol was likely a factor in the homicide, but investigators are following up to see how much of a factor it played.



John Kovach, 42, has been charged with open murder and was denied bond at his arraignment Tuesday afternoon.



Sheriff's deputies were called to the residence at 8:50 p.m. Monday to respond to a domestic dispute and found Nancy Kovach already dead. Matyas did not know who made the 911 call. The family lives at 6907 E. Main St. in Comstock Township.

Nancy Kovach was shot by a handgun. Matyas did not know how many times she was shot.



John Newman, who lives next door to the family and has known John Kovach since he was a child, was shocked to hear the news.



"John was quiet, friendly," Newman said. "I can't believe this is happening. It's like a really bad dream."



Newman, who has lived in the area for 46 years, said Kovach grew up in the neighborhood and played with his children when they were young.



"He was always a good kid," Newman said. "Even today, he is a good, hard worker. He's done a lot of things for me."



Kevin Johnsen, who identified himself as a co-worker of John Kovach at Kalamazoo Industries, said he was also surprised to hear about the shooting.

"Everyone always says he's the nicest guy in the world, always going out of his way to help people," Johnsen said.

Johnsen said Kovach didn't mention any problems with his wife.

"He seemed happy at work that day," he said about Monday.

Johnsen said his co-workers still can't believe the allegations.

"Everyone is saying this couldn't happen simply because he loves his children so much that he wouldn't put them through this. Those kids mean the world to him," Johnsen said.

A preliminary hearing has been set for July 2, when Judge Anne Blatchford will determine if there is enough evidence against Kovach to bind him over for trial.

Aaron Mueller is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Contact him at amuelle1@mlive.com or 269-568-3867. Follow him on Twitter.