On February 19, 2024 college professor Bernadine Pruessner, 39, killed herself and her 4 children by setting a house fire in Ferguson, Missouri. Bernadine’s children are identified as twin daughters Ellie and Ivy Pruessner, 9, her son Jackson Spader, 6, and her 2-year-old daughter Millie Spader.
Court records show that Bernadine had been fighting for custody in family court against the fathers of her children. The twins had separate fathers from the other children.
So instead of giving custody to the fathers, Bernadine stupidly decided to kill all of her children instead. At 4:23 a.m. Bernadine intentionally set a mattress on fire in the home as the children slept.
Flames spread through the house quickly. Reports of a house fire at the home led to 911 calls. Firefighters arrived and put the fire out.
Bernadine along with all 4 of the children were found dead. Bernadine even killed the family dog.
The fire deaths were officially ruled a murder-suicide. Bernadine was an assistant professor at Lewis & Clark Community College.
Bernadine even had the audacity to leave behind a suicide note stating her intentions. The day before the fire, Bernadine posted on Facebook a photo of herself with her children, stating:
“All my kids sleeping in my bed. Us against the world. I’m so blessed to be their mama.”
