The heartbroken father of two children whose mother, who was Missouri’s Teacher of the Year, died by suicide after setting her home on fire has mourned the loss of his children, calling them “the greatest gift.”
Jared Spader lost his children, Jackson Spader, 5, and Millie Spader, 2, in the fire that also killed his mother, Bernadine “Birdie” Prusner, and his two older brothers, 9. He issued a heartbreaking statement about his loss. Twins Ellie and Ivy Prusner at their home in Ferguson on Monday.
“What I want you to know about my two wonderful children is that they are the greatest gift a father could ask for,” he wrote. According to Fox 2 Now.
“Jackson was the most wonderful older brother, kind, intuitive, and gentle. He loved his sisters, being outside, sports, the arts, and was always very attuned to the needs of others.” wrote Spader.
“Millie was a funny, charismatic, kind and gentle sister who brightened up every moment of every day for all of us. They were two of the most beautiful people a father could wish for and in every way… It was a gift to our lives,” he added.
Spader said she and the twins’ father, David Prusner, “must focus on honoring these four beautiful lives, and we will do it together.”
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office ruled the fire, which was initially described as “suspicious,” a murder-suicide.
“It is believed that Bernadine intentionally set the mattress on fire, which is where the fire started,” police said in a statement. “There was also a note left behind stating Bernadine’s intention to take his and his children’s lives.
Authorities have not disclosed the contents of the memo.
Police said Prusner also posted on social media about living “every day as if it were your last.”
“All of my children are sleeping peacefully in my bed…I would do anything for them because I know they are so loved,” said Lewis & Clark Community President. the college professor wrote. “This is my favorite moment.”
On Sunday, she shared a selfie of the youngster smiling.
“Us to the world. So happy to be their mom,” Prusner captioned the photo.
“Let’s live each day like it’s our last!” she wrote, writing about her plans to take her kids to soccer games and reptile shows.
A statement from her loved ones on GoFundMe said Prusner was in a “horrible situation” due to “ongoing litigation” with her ex-husband and the father of her twin daughters.
She and her ex-husband, who divorced in 2017, shared joint custody of Ivy and Ellie until last year, according to court records. In that case, he filed a motion to block Mr. Prusner’s plan to move to Creve Coeur, a St. Louis suburb about 10 miles away. .
According to the documents, David Prusner was concerned about his ex-wife’s close relationship with his mother, who he described as “mentally insane.”
Bernadine’s attorney, Nathan Cohen, told the Post, “This is the first time in my life where a parent objected to the other parent being close to the other parent.”
Ms. Prusner was also facing a custody battle with her ex-girlfriend, Ms. Spader.
“She saw her children being used as foils by their fathers and considered the process and system for resolving such claims to be cumbersome, tedious, and endless.”4 the child’s mother said in a statement.
Her late mother received the Missouri Teacher of the Year award in 2013 from the National Commission on Recognition of Distinguished Teachers.
