A Missouri teacher took her own life and those of her four young children by setting a mattress on fire, just hours after she wrote online that the children were “sleeping peacefully in their bed.”
Bernadine Pruessner, 38, died in a fire at her home in Ferguson on Monday morning, along with 9-year-old twins Ellie and Ivy, 5-year-old Jackson and 2-year-old Millie.
Preliminary investigation determined it was a murder-suicide, St. Louis County Police Department spokesman Sergeant Tracy Panus told .
“It is believed that Bernadine intentionally set a mattress on fire as that was the origin of the fire,” Panus said. “A note was also left explaining Bernadine’s intention to take her and her children’s lives.”
Pruessner last posted on Facebook on the evening of Feb. 19, just hours before the fatal fire, mentioning that her children were “sleeping peacefully in (their) bed.”
Bernadine Pruessner, 38, died in an early morning house fire in Ferguson, Missouri, along with her children: 9-year-old twins Ellie and Ivy, 5-year-old Jackson and 2 1/2-year-old Millie
The St. Louis County Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into the fire, calling it “suspicious” based on evidence of criminal activity
A relative described the young siblings as “some of the brightest and brightest children you could have” who were “full of life,” just like their mother
“All my children sleep peacefully in my bed,” she wrote. “Curled up.” I know they are loved so much that I would do absolutely anything for them. This is my favorite moment.'
A neighbor woke up just after 4:30 a.m. and saw the glow of flames through his window. He ran over and knocked on the door to wake the family while his wife called 911.
Other neighbors said they didn't hear the smoke alarms.
Firefighters from four communities were called to battle the blaze, which was so intense that he had to retreat several times.
Finding evidence of criminal activity, Ferguson police asked the St. Louis County Bureau of Crimes Against Persons to take over the investigation.
The twins, Ellie and Ivy, were fourth graders at Mason Ridge Elementary School. The Parkway School District informed parents of the “sad news” in a letter.
The district announced that a crisis intervention team would meet with every fourth grade “so that students can begin to process their emotions.”
Three family dogs also died in the fire, but about 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived as they were on a separate part of the property.
A neighbor woke up shortly after 4:30 a.m. Monday to see the glow of flames through his window. He ran over and knocked on the door while his wife called 911
Pruessner taught in both Missouri and Illinois. In 2022, she joined Lewis and Clark Community College as a full-time faculty member
Neighbors said they didn't hear smoke alarms after the fire broke out
Firefighters from four communities were called in to fight the fire, with fire so strong they had to retreat several times
About 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived the fire because they were on another part of the property
Dara Ashby of the Ferguson Animal Coalition confirmed that relatives would care for some of the animals while others would be rehomed.
Pruessner was a teacher who worked in both Missouri and Illinois.
In 2013, she received the Missouri Teacher of the Year award from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.
In 2022, Pruessner joined Lewis and Clark Community College as a full-time faculty member after previously serving as an adjunct professor.
The 38-year-old has teaching qualifications in the areas of agriculture, primary education, English teaching, early childhood education and family and consumer sciences.
Jared Spader, father of Jackson and Millie, released a statement along with David Pruessner, father of Ellie and Ivy.
“I want everyone to know about my two beautiful children that they are the greatest gift a father could ever ask for,” it said.
“Jackson was the most incredible older brother, kind, intuitive and gentle. He loved his sisters, outdoor life, sports and art and was always responsive to the needs of others.
“Millie was a fun, charismatic, sweet and kind little sister who brightened every moment of every day for all of us.”
The statement continued: “They were the two most beautiful souls a father could ask for and they were a gift to our lives in every way.” As fathers, we must now focus on honoring the four beautiful lives , and we want to do that together.”
The heartbroken fathers thanked the community for their support and noted the generosity of both strangers and loved ones. “We will continue to need it,” they wrote.