Bernadine Pruessner Wikipedia: Age, Husband, Kids, Death Cause, Family & BIO of Missouri Teacher
Bernadine Pruessner, also known as Birdie, was a former teacher, a college professor, and a mother of four who died in a tragic fire along with her children on February 19, 2024. The fire, which was ruled as a murder-suicide by the police, shocked and saddened the community of Ferguson, Missouri, where Pruessner lived. She was 39 years old, had been going through a difficult custody battle with her ex-husband and her ex-boyfriend, the fathers of her children.
She had also posted some cryptic messages on social media about living each day like it was her last, and how much she loved her children.
Early life, Birthday, Education, Family
Bernadine Pruessner was born on December 14, 1985 (age: 38 years, as of 2023), in Eureka, Missouri. She attended Eureka Senior High School, where she graduated in 2004. She then went on to study at Lewis and Clark Community College, where she earned an associate degree in 2006. She later transferred to City Academy, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in education in 2008.
Pruessner had a passion for teaching and learning, and she pursued a career in education. She worked as a teacher at several schools, including Hazelwood West High School, Hazelwood Central High School, and Hazelwood East High School. She taught various subjects, such as English, social studies, and journalism.
She was well-liked by her students and colleagues, and she received several awards and recognitions for her teaching excellence. In 2013, she was named the Missouri Teacher of the Year by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. She was also nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2014. Pruessner was not only a teacher, but also a lifelong learner. She continued her education and earned a master’s degree in education from Lindenwood University in 2015.
She also enrolled in a doctoral program in education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she was working on her dissertation at the time of her death. Pruessner also worked as a professor at Lewis and Clark Community College, where she taught courses in education and English. She was admired by her students and peers for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication.
Bernadine Pruessner Wiki/Bio
| Name | Bernadine Pruessner |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Birdie |
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1985 |
| Date of Death | February 19, 2024 |
| Place of Birth | Eureka, Missouri |
| Place of Death | Ferguson, Missouri |
| Cause of Death | Murder-suicide by arson |
| Education | Eureka Senior High School (2004), Lewis and Clark Community College (2006), City Academy (2008), Lindenwood University (2012) |
| Occupation | Teacher, Professor |
| Awards | Missouri Teacher of the Year Award (2013) |
| Partners | David Pruessner (2010-2017), Jared Spader (2017-2020) |
| Children | Ellie and Ivy Pruessner (9), Jackson and Millie Spader (5 and 2) |
| Links | Facebook- @BirdsTheWord84 Homepage- Newsunzip |
A Loving Wife and Devoted Mother
Bernadine Pruessner was also a loving and devoted mother to her four children: Ellie and Ivy Pruessner, 9-year-old twins; Jackson Spader, 5 years old; and Millie Spader, 2 years old. Pruessner had two daughters with her ex-husband, David Pruessner, whom she married in 2010 and divorced in 2017.
She had two more children with her ex-boyfriend, Jared Spader, whom she dated from 2017 to 2019. Pruessner loved her children more than anything, and she often posted pictures and messages about them on social media. She described them as her “favorite people in the world” and her “blessings”.
She also enjoyed spending time with them and doing various activities, such as going to soccer games, reptile shows, and amusement parks. She wanted to give her children the best life possible, and she worked hard to provide for them. She also wanted to move to a new home in Creve Coeur, a suburb of St. Louis, where she hoped to find better opportunities and a safer environment for her family.
A Troubled and Desperate Woman
However, behind the scenes, Bernadine Pruessner was also a troubled and desperate woman, who was facing a lot of stress and challenges in her personal life. She was involved in a bitter custody dispute with her ex-husband and her ex-boyfriend, who both wanted more time and involvement with their children. She had joint custody of her twins with David Pruessner, but he filed a motion to block her from moving to Creve Coeur, claiming that it would disrupt the children’s stability and routine.
He also accused Pruessner of having a “psychotic” mother, who lived near the new home and who had a history of mental illness and substance abuse. She denied these allegations, and said that her mother was not a threat to her or her children.
Pruessner also had a custody battle with Jared Spader, who was the father of her younger children. Spader had filed a paternity suit in 2019, seeking joint legal and physical custody of Jackson and Millie. He also wanted to have a say in their education, health care, and religious upbringing. She opposed his requests, and argued that he was not a fit parent, and that he had been abusive and unfaithful to her during their relationship.
She also claimed that Spader had threatened to kill her and her children if she did not comply with his demands. The custody cases were still pending in court at the time of Pruessner’s death, and they had taken a toll on her mental and emotional health.
Pruessner was also struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to her friends and family. She had sought professional help, and she was taking medication for her condition. However, she was also feeling isolated, hopeless, and overwhelmed by her situation. She felt that she had no one to turn to, and that she was losing control of her life.
She also feared that she would lose her children, or that they would be harmed by her ex-partners. She had expressed these feelings in a note that she left behind, where she stated her intention to take her own life and the lives of her children. She also wrote some cryptic messages on social media, where she hinted at her plan.
On the day before the fire, she posted a selfie with her children, and wrote: “Us against the world. I’m so blessed to be their mama. Making today one of those live each day like it’s your last kind of days!” Later that night, she posted another message, saying: “All my kids, peacefully sleeping in my bed…Knowing they are loved so fiercely that I’d do absolutely anything for them. This is my favorite moment.”
A Horrific and Heartbreaking Fire
On the morning of February 19, 2024, Bernadine Pruessner carried out her plan, and set a mattress on fire in her home in Ferguson. The fire quickly spread throughout the house, and engulfed it in flames. Pruessner and her four children were trapped inside, and they all died from smoke inhalation and burns. The fire also killed their two dogs, who were found near the children’s bodies. The fire was reported by a neighbor, who saw the smoke and called 911.
The firefighters arrived at the scene, and tried to rescue the victims, but it was too late. They found Pruessner and her children in the same bedroom, where they had apparently been sleeping. They also found a note that she had left behind, where she confessed to starting the fire and killing her children. The police later confirmed that the fire was a murder-suicide, and that Pruessner had acted alone.
The police also said that they had no prior reports of domestic violence or child abuse involving Pruessner or her ex-partners. The fire shocked and saddened the community, and many people expressed their condolences and grief for the victims. A vigil was held outside the burned house, where people left flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and messages of love and support.
A GoFundMe page was also set up to help pay for the funeral expenses and to support the surviving family members. The page raised over $50,000 in donations, and it also received many comments from people who knew Bernadine and her children, or who were touched by their story. Many people praised Pruessner for being a great teacher and a loving mother, and they also expressed their sympathy and sorrow for her mental anguish and despair. They also remembered her children as sweet, smart, and beautiful, and they mourned their loss of potential and happiness.
A Tragic and Unanswered Question
The fire that killed Bernadine Pruessner and her four children was a tragic and heartbreaking event, that left many people wondering why and how it happened. What drove Pruessner to such a desperate and drastic action, and what could have been done to prevent it? Was there any sign or warning that she was planning to harm herself and her children, and if so, why was it missed or ignored?
Could she have received more help or support from her friends, family, or professionals, and if so, why did she not seek or accept it? Could the custody disputes have been resolved in a more peaceful and amicable way, and if so, why did they escalate to such a level of conflict and hostility? These are some of the questions that remain unanswered, and that haunt the people who knew Pruessner and her children, or who followed their story. The fire also raises awareness and concern about the issues of mental health, domestic violence,
