FERGUSON, Mo. — A Ferguson house fire that killed a family of five earlier this week was a murder-suicide, according to St. Louis County police.
The fire happened early Monday morning at a home on the 500 block of North Clay Avenue.
Bernadine “Birdie” Pruessner, 39, was found dead after the fire, along with her four children: 2-year-old Millie, 6-year-old Jackson and 9-year-old twin girls Ellie and Ivy.
The St. Louis County Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that a preliminary investigation revealed Pruessner intentionally set a mattress on fire. Police found a note stating her intention to take her and her children's lives.
Jared Spader, the father of Jackson and Millie, released a statement on behalf of himself and David Pruessner, the father of Ellie and Ivy:
"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.
"They were the two most beautiful souls that a father could ask for, and they were a gift to our lives in every way.
"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."
Nathan Cohen, an attorney who recently represented Bernadine Pruessner, shared a statement on behalf of her family.
"Tragically, the life of a wonderful mother and a brilliant educator, and her four beautiful children were lost this week. (Her family wants) to share with you that their daughter was happy, enjoyed life (and) was a success in all of her endeavors including her career as a professor in early education. She excelled most in her compassion and care for her children. Birdie lived for her children and focused only on their happiness.
Because of "ongoing litigation" between herself and her children's fathers, the statement said, "Birdie got to an awful place."
"We wish that Birdie would have reached out and received help. We hope that Birdie's untimely death can be a reminder that even the strongest of us can use help in moments of crisis. We hope that even those who think they have it handled understand that they are not immune from suffering and doubt. We are grateful for all the outreach from this community, law enforcement and first responders.
"We have been lifted by the messages (from) Birdie's friends, her community and everyone who knew her. We are especially grateful for the GoFundMe account and all efforts to assist us in this tragic loss.
"We will never get our daughter back. We will never see our grandchildren again. But if this tragedy could direct people to seek help in times of anguish and crisis, then perhaps Birdie's life and not her death will stand for something," her family said.
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle said "In the shadow of a tragedy that’s left an indelible mark on our town, the loss of Bernadine 'Birdie' Pruessner and her four remarkable children, Ellie, Ivy, Jackson and Millie ... has deeply touched not only me but also the officers who were first on the scene, and indeed, our whole community.
"The first responders met with a situation that no training manual could ever prepare them for. It was a stark reminder of the unseen battles some of our neighbors are fighting and the critical need for empathy, compassion and support from all of us."
Ferguson’s 1st Ward Councilwoman Linda Lipka said, “I am so sorry for the heartache she was feeling. I am so sorry for the children and I’m so very, very sorry for the parents. My thoughts and my love and my sincere condolences do not change."
“For somebody with that much outreach and that much connection with humanity all around her, to feel that alone we need to do better as a community and as a nation. Mental illness is something that is very, very vital to address,” said Lipka.
Dr. Bart Andrews, chief clinical officer at Behavioral Health Response, said, “It has rippled throughout the community."
Dr. Andrews said when it comes to such a tragedy people have to keep an eye out for possible warning signs.
“Does something look different? Have some things, something they used to do, they’re not doing anymore? Are they talking about feeling depressed? Are they talking about finality? All of these things are important signs we all can watch out for in our family, friends, people we know,” Andrews said.
Police urged anyone struggling with depression or thoughts of harming themselves or others to call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
