Bernadine “Birdie” Pruessner (38), her four young children and their three dogs all died in a house fire in Ferguson, Missouri on February 19. Te occurred on Monday in Ferguson, a city located just outside of St. Louis.
This tragic incident has been ruled a murder-suicide, according the St. Louis County Police Department. According to authorities, Bernadine is thought to have deliberately set fire to a mattress, which served as the fire’s starting point. A message was also left, outlining Bernadine’s intentions to take her own and her children’s lives.
The victims were identified by police as Bernadine Pruessner, 39; Ivy Pruessner, 9; Ellie Pruessner, 9; Jackson Spader; 6; and Millie Spader, 2.
