Missouri Teacher Bernadine Pruessner Wiki, Age, Obituary, Kids, Husband, Boyfriend & More

All About Former Teacher of the Year Bernadine Pruessner

Bernadine Pruessner (December 14, 1985 – February 19, 2024) was known as a dedicated teacher in Missouri and was honored as Teacher of the Year. However, a devastating event shook the community when it was reported that she was involved in a fire that took the lives of her four young children.

Bernadine, often called “Birdie,” lived in Ferguson with her children: twins Ellie and Ivy Pruessner, aged 9, 5-year-old Jackson Spader, and 2-year-old Millie Spader. The fire occurred on a Monday morning, claiming the lives of all five family members.

The distressing incident occurred early in the morning at their Ferguson residence on North Clay (500 block), prompting firefighters to respond quickly around 4:30 a.m. Despite the commendable efforts of the firefighters, it took hours to control the flames. Unfortunately, the outcome was tragic, resulting in the loss of Bernadine, all four children, and three family dogs.

Investigations later revealed that it was a murder-suicide, with Pruessner being responsible. A note found at the scene indicated her intentions.

Prior to the incident, Pruessner shared moments with her children on social media, expressing her deep love for them. She often spoke about cherishing life’s moments and making the most of each day.

Despite her outward positivity, it was revealed that Bernadine was facing personal challenges, including legal issues with her ex-husband. The community mourned the tragic loss, and support was offered to Pruessner’s loved ones through a GoFundMe campaign.

Why did Bernadine Set the House on Fire?

Bernadine Pruessner and her four children were tragically found dead in their home, which she intentionally set on fire after a heated custody battle with her ex-husband. The St. Louis County Police Department revealed on February 21 that what was initially thought to be an accident was, in fact, a murder-suicide.

The preliminary investigation uncovered that Pruessner intentionally started a fire on a mattress, and a note was found, expressing her intention to end her and her children’s lives. Nathan Cohen, an attorney representing Bernadine Pruessner, shared a statement on behalf of the grieving family.

Cohen revealed that Birdie had wanted to move closer to the twins’ school and their father by relocating to a family member’s home in Creve Coeur. However, her ex-husband objected to the move, an unprecedented action in Cohen’s entire professional career.

Court records indicate that the father had concerns about the family member Birdie intended to live with. On February 18, 2024, just a day before the tragic incident, Birdie posted heartfelt photos on her Facebook page.

In one caption, she wrote, “Us against the world. I’m so blessed to be their mama. They have a heart for the lord and have overcome so much more in their little lives than they should have had to face.”

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Bernadine Pruessner Realtion With David Pruessner and Jared Spader

Bernadine Pruessner was formerly married to David Pruessner, but they divorced in 2017. They shared joint custody of their daughters, Ivy and Ellie, until Bernadine’s plans to move to a new home in the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur raised concerns for David. He worried about Bernadine’s proximity to her mother, whom she had referred to as “psychotic” in court documents.

Nathan Cohen, Bernadine’s lawyer, expressed surprise at David’s objection, stating it was the first time he encountered such a situation. Bernadine was also entangled in a custody dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Jared Spader, who was the father of her other children, Jackson and Millie.

According to Cohen, David and Jared worked together in their efforts regarding the custody issues. Bernadine’s family shared a statement describing how she felt her role as a mother was constantly challenged by her ex-husband and former boyfriend.

Cohen acknowledged Bernadine’s financial struggles, noting her income was less than $60,000 annually, and the legal battles were financially draining. Despite the challenges, Cohen stated that he never saw any indication that Bernadine posed a threat to herself or her children. He expressed bewilderment at the murder-suicide ruling, reflecting on how upbeat and genuine Bernadine seemed.

A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Bernadine’s relatives received significant support, surpassing its goal. Jared Spader, along with David Pruessner, released a statement expressing their grief and emphasizing the need to honor the lives of the children. Additionally, a separate GoFundMe campaign in memory of Jackson and Millie Spader garnered substantial donations, exceeding its initial target.

Bernadine Pruessner Background

Bernadine Pruessner was born on December 14, 1985, in Missouri, United States. Growing up in St. Louis, she pursued a career in education, where she made significant achievements.

In 2013, She was recognized as Missouri’s Teacher of the Year by the American Board. She dedicated herself to teaching math at City Academy in St. Louis, leaving a lasting impact on her students.

Throughout her career, which spanned over a decade, Pruessner held various educational roles. She served as an adjunct at Lewis and Clark before advancing to the position of assistant professor.

Driven by her passion for learning, Bernadine was actively pursuing a doctorate in early childhood education. Alongside her teaching duties, she earned a Master of Education and a Master of Business Administration.

Her teaching credentials reflected her versatility and dedication to education. She held certifications in early childhood education, agriculture, English language arts, elementary education, and family and consumer science.

Bernadine Pruessner FAQs

Ques: How old was Bernadine Pruessner?

Ans: Bernadine was 38.

Ques: When was Bernadine Pruessner born?

Ans: December 14, 1985.

Ques: Who is Bernadine Pruessner’s ex-husband?

Ans: Bernadine had four kids from two men – Ellie and Ivy from David Pruessner and Jackson and Millie from Jared Spader.