SNOHOMISH — A man suspected of forcing his way into a Snohomish home and holding a family of five at knifepoint was likely motivated by a drug problem, relatives say.
Paul Granquist, 37, of Lake Stevens was arrested by Snohomish police Wednesday after the victims managed to secretly call 911. He’s being held in the Snohomish County Jail on $100,000 bail.
Family members say Granquist has struggled with an addiction to the powerful painkiller oxycodone for a year and a half. A doctor prescribed him the drug after he broke his hand, and he apparently became hooked, said his sister Jennifer Granquist, 33, of Boston, Mass.
"There’s absolutely no excuse for what happened, but this is someone who was not thinking straight," she said. "He’s not someone who would up and say, ‘I’m going to rob someone’s house.’ He is an addict who made some very bad choices."
Her brother, she said, overcame an addiction to alcohol and drugs when he was younger, and thought he could handle taking the highly addictive painkiller. But he couldn’t quit, Jennifer Granquist said.
"He was a good man who lost everything to drugs," said his former wife, Mandy Granquist of Lake Stevens. "We are all absolutely shocked by his arrest, and I feel so bad for that poor family."
Her ex-husband, a former Kiwanis member, used to coach one son’s T-ball team, she said, but now hasn’t seen the boys for the past seven months. She fears he’s now using illegal drugs and stealing to support his habit.
Relatives hoped he would seek help after a March 12 arrest for trafficking in stolen property. Those charges were dropped, and he was released from jail after several days.
"I hope he’s hit bottom now," Mandy Granquist said. "He needs to get help."
Paul Granquist tried getting drug treatment in August 2003, but it didn’t help, said former father-in-law Bill Clough of Lake Stevens.
"Paul in his heart is a good person, but the drug has definitely taken control of him," said Clough, who said the two used to be close friends. "He’s not the same person."
He added, "I feel so bad for the (Snohomish) family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. I can only send my prayers to them."
The family that Paul Granquist allegedly held hostage Wednesday said he seemed panicky and paranoid, and might have been using drugs. But Snohomish police could not say whether he was on drugs when he was arrested.
Paul Granquist was allegedly armed with a large hunting knife and threatened the family of five, but no one was hurt.
The father of the family, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said he appreciated his relative’s apology.
"I can understand where the family’s coming from," he said. "It’s nice to hear they’d say that."
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.
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