The deadly blaze that claimed the lives of a mother and her four children in St. Louis last week was ruled a murder-suicide.
Investigators revealed that 39-year-old Bernadine Pruessner set the fire that killed her and her four children: 9-year-old twins Ivy and Ellie Pruessner; 6-year-old Jackson Spader and 2-year-old Millie Spader.
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St. Louis County Police said through spokeswoman Tracy Panus said that Bernadine likely set a mattress on fire starting the blaze inside the family Ferguson home.
She reportedly left a note mentioning her intentions to commit suicide and end her young children’s lives.
The early Monday fire also killed three dogs. A neighbor recalled reporting the fire to authorities at around 4:30 a.m.
