Ferguson, Missouri’s Bernadine Pruessner sets mattress on fire, takes her and her 4 kids’ lives

Bernadine “Birdie” Pruessner of Ferguson, Missouri, United States and her children Ellie Pruessner, Ivy Pruessner, Jack Spader and Millie Spader have died. Birdie was 39, Ellie and Ivy were 9, Jack was 5 and Millie was 2.

Birdie held teaching certifications in agriculture, family and consumer science, elementary education, early childhood education and English language arts. In 2013, she received the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.

In 2022, Birdie joined Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois, USA as an assistant professor in the child development department. She was pursuing a Ph.D. in early childhood education.

Jack and Millie’s father is Jared Spader. Birdie’s former husband David Pruessner is the father of Ellie and Ivy, who are twins.

In October 2017, Birdie and David finalized their divorce. She started dating Jared but they also broke up after having two children.

Birdie wanted to move into a family member’s residence in Creve Coeur, Missouri to live closer to Ellie and Ivy’s school and David, who is a Wells Fargo human relations executive. The twins were fourth-graders at Mason Ridge Elementary School in Town and Country, Missouri.

However, David filed an objection with the court. He expressed concerns about the family member Birdie wanted to live with.

“Making today one of those live each day like it’s your last kind of days!” Birdie wrote on Facebook just before 10:00 a.m. on February 18, 2024. “Breakfast, reptile show, soccer game, and living room camp out on the agenda plus whatever other shenanigans bring us joy. Happy Sunday. Thank God the sun is shining.”

At around 11:30 p.m., Birdie wrote on Facebook, “All my kids, peacefully sleeping in my bed. Curled up together. Knowing they are loved so fiercely that I’d do absolutely anything for them. This is my favorite moment.”

At around 4:30 a.m. on February 19, 2024, Birdie set fire to her home in Ferguson while she, Ellie, Ivy, Jack and Millie were inside. The point of origin for the fire was a mattress. Birdie, she, Ellie, Ivy, Jack and Millie all died of smoke inhalation. 

While three family dogs died, two cats, three chickens and 14 rabbits survived. According to a note Birdie left in her minivan, she had intentions to take her life and her children’s lives.