Society

Missouri house fire that resulted in death of professor and her 4 children ruled murder-suicide

Authorities in Missouri said a house fire that killed a college professor and her four children was a murder-suicide. The fatal incident was initially deemed to be suspicious because evidence of criminal activity was found at the scene, authorities previously stated.

According to PEOPLE, the St. Louis County Police Department in a statement said that a preliminary investigation into the Monday fire determined Bernadine Pruessner “intentionally set a mattress on fire as that was the point of origin for the fire.”

“A note was also left stating Bernadine’s intentions to take her life and the lives of her children,” the statement added.

Pruessner died alongside her four children: Ellie and Ivy Pruessner, both 9, as well as Millie Spader, 2, and Jackson Spader, 6. Authorities also said three dogs died in the fire while chickens and rabbits that were on the property survived.

A neighbor, who noticed fire emanating from the home that morning, called 911 before going to the scene with another neighbor, St. Louis Post-Disptach reported. “The smoke was so bad. I tried to kick the front door,” the neighbor, identified as Jerry McClure, said. “We just couldn’t wake them up.”

Pruessner’s father, Cordell Beache, also said the last time they heard from his daughter was on Sunday night, adding that he even spent time with Pruessner and his grandkids that day. Beache said he and his daughter attended a soccer game that her 9-year-old twins played before they went to Culver’s for dinner.

“She was an amazing person,” Beache said. “She was in early childhood education, and she did wonders with her children, who were very bright.”

Pruessner was an assistant professor in the child development department at Lewis & Clark Community College in Illinois, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. She was also set to earn her doctorate in early childhood education.

Nic Jones, who is Pruessner’s colleague, described the deceased mother as an “extremely innovative” person who had a passion for her profession. Jones also said Pruessner was “at the forefront here at Lewis and Clark in providing access and opportunities to students who would not normally have the chance to study here. She was a wonderful woman.”

The fathers of the deceased children also released a joint statement in the wake of the fatal incident, KSDK reported.

“What I would want everyone to know about my two wonderful children is they are the greatest gift that a father could ever ask for. Jackson was the most incredible older brother—kind, intuitive and gentle. He loved his sisters, being outside, sports (and) art, and he was always so in tune with the needs of others. Millie was a funny, charismatic, sweet and kind little sister who brightened every moment of every day for all of us,” Jackson and Millie’s father, Jared Spader, said in the statement.

“They were the two most beautiful souls that a father could ask for, and they were a gift to our lives in every way,” the statement added.

“As dads, right now we have to focus on honoring the four beautiful lives, and we plan to do that together. Our thanks go out to the community, people we know and many we have never even met, who have shown us incredible amounts of support. We will continue to need it.”

Pruessner’s former attorney, Nathan Cohen, also released a statement on behalf of the deceased woman’s family. Cohen, who described Pruessner as a “wonderful mother and a brilliant educator”, stated that the deceased woman “got to an awful place” as a result of an “ongoing litigation” involving her and the fathers of her children.

Francis Akhalbey

A reader once told me I lack the emotional maturity to cope with mythological breasts. I support Manchester United, by the way. And L.A. Lakers.

Recent Posts

Angela Tabiri: Meet the Ghanaian now holding the ‘World’s Most Interesting Mathematician’ title

Angela Tabiri, a young mathematician from Ghana, has been named the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician…

5 hours ago

LeBron James is the first self-made billionaire to compete in the Olympics

This year’s Paris Olympics will see the participation of over 10,000 athletes, and over a billion…

5 hours ago

Why the highest-paid receiver in NFL history doesn’t want to live in a luxury mansion

Despite being the highest-paid receiver in NFL history, Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson avoids unnecessary…

7 hours ago

The fortune of Olympic superstar Simone Biles has little to do with gymnastics

Simone Biles is one of the most iconic and dominant athletes in the world of…

7 hours ago

New photo evidence vindicates man who was imprisoned for nearly 40 years

Paul Clark Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder in 1987 following the death of…

10 hours ago

He began his lessons at 3, now he is U.S.’ best hope of gold in taekwondo at the Olympics

Carl Alan Nickolas Jr. aka C.J. Nickolas is determined not just to compete but to…

14 hours ago

Chris Brown sued for $15M as he lands in another controversy after Texas show

Chris Brown is already facing a $50 million lawsuit that was filed by four men…

15 hours ago

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King respond to rumors about being lovers

Best friends Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are inseparable. The pair first met about 50…

16 hours ago

Elon Musk’s transgender daughter speaks out after he said she was ‘dead’

In her first interview, Elon Musk’s transgender daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson accused the South African-born…

17 hours ago

Meet the highest-paid Black athletes at the Paris Olympics

On Friday, July 26, 2024, over 10,000 athletes will converge in Paris for the opening…

18 hours ago

I feel violated and ashamed – Nurse thrown out of restaurant over her outfit

A Louisiana nurse was thrown out of a high-end steakhouse in Baton Rouge for allegedly…

20 hours ago

Meet Myeshia Mizuno, who just became the first Black woman to run a primetime game show

Myeshia Mizuno is the first Black woman to run a network game show, having taken…

1 day ago

Woman makes history buying entire Baltimore waterfront block

Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew is the CEO of Root Branch Media Group (RBMG). She recently achieved…

1 day ago

‘We’re looking at a miracle’: Alabama baby celebrates first birthday after being given a 1% chance to live

Herron Abney III, affectionately known as Tripp, is defying all odds despite being told he…

1 day ago

How white women are rushing to support Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign recently revealed that it raised a record $81 million in…

2 days ago