Authorities are currently probing a “suspicious” fire that unfortunately claimed the lives of a woman and four children in St. Louis. Responding to a distress call at 4:23 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024, firefighters discovered the residence in Ferguson in flames.
St. Louis County Police Sergent Tracy Panus reported that the victims, including the woman and four children, were inside the home. Additionally, Sgt. Panus, in an email statement, mentioned the presence of “evidence located on the property.” Hence, authorities deemed the cause of the fire as suspicious.
According to the same email, investigators suspect that Bernadine Pruessner, 39, intentionally set a mattress ablaze. The email also noted Pruessner’s intentions to take her life and that of her children. Although Panus refrained from giving further details, detectives from the St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson unit are actively investigating.
As of Tuesday, February 20 morning, the police have not disclosed the victims’ identities. However, they identified them as a woman and four children. Speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, relatives and neighbors indicated that Pruessner resided in the house with her four kids.
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Cordell Beache, Pruessner’s father, described his daughter as “an amazing person” and highlighted the intelligence of her “very bright” children. Although he could not officially confirm their fate, Beache revealed that he had not contacted them since the fire incident. Beache shared that Pruessner was on the verge of completing her doctorate in early childhood education.
She was an assistant professor in the child development department at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois. Remarkably, despite the fire incident, some animals on the property survived. Although chickens and rabbits on the property survived the fire, police say three dogs didn’t make it.
Neighbor Jerry McClure recounted waking up to see flames and immediately dialing 911. With another neighbor, he rushed to the scene, discovering the south side of the house in flames. McClure said, “The smoke was so bad. I tried to kick the front door.”
However, despite their efforts, they could not wake the occupants. Beache recalled spending time with the family on Sunday night. He claimed they all watched the 9-year-old twins, Ellie and Ivy Pruessner, play soccer. Following the game, Beache said they enjoyed a dinner outing together.
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Furthermore, Beache informed the Post-Dispatch that 5-year-old Jackson Spader and 2-year-old Millie Spader resided in the home. According to a statement issued on behalf of her relatives by attorney Nathan Cohen, legal disputes over the children involving Pruessner and the fathers were prolonged.
Despite being a happy and loving mother who enjoyed life, the statement revealed that the court battles pushed her to the moment of crisis. The statement said, “Bernadine got to an awful place that resulted in tragic consequences.”
Furthermore, the two fathers reportedly released a joint statement. They said, “As dads, right now, we have to focus on honoring the four beautiful lives, and we plan to do that together. Our thanks go to the community, people we know, and many we never met. We will continue to need it.”
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