Missouri mother Bernadine Pruessner killed her four kids - ages 2 through 9 - and herself by setting mattress on FIRE after leaving haunting Facebook post saying they were all 'curled up in bed'

A Missouri teacher took her own life and those of her four young children by setting a mattress ablaze, just hours after writing online that the kids were 'peacefully sleeping' in her bed.

Bernadine Pruessner, 38, died in a Monday morning fire at her Ferguson home alongside 9-year-old twins Ellie and Ivy, 5-year-old Jackson and 2-year-old Millie.

Preliminary investigations have revealed it to be a murder-suicide, St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Tracy Panus told DailyMail.com.

'It is believed that Bernadine intentionally set a mattress on fire as that was the point of origin for the fire,' Panus said. 'A note was also left stating Bernadine’s intentions to take her life and the lives of her children.'

Pruessner last posted to Facebook on the evening of February 19, just hours before the deadly fire, mentioning that her children were 'peacefully sleeping in (her) bed.'

Bernadine Pruessner, 38, died in an early morning house fire in Ferguson, Missouri, along with her children: 9-year-old twins Ellie and Ivy, 5-year-old Jackson, and 2-year-old Millie

The St. Louis County Police Department ruled the deaths a murder-suicide through preliminary investigations

The 38-year-old is believed to have set a mattress on fire, sending the house ablaze, just hours after posting to Facebook that her children were 'peacefully sleeping in (her) bed'

'All my kids, peacefully sleeping in my bed,' she wrote. 'Curled up together. Knowing they are loved so fiercely that I'd do absolutely anything for them. This is my favorite moment.' 

A neighbor awoke shortly after 4:30 am and saw the glow of flames through his window. He ran over and banged on the door to rouse the family while his wife phoned 911.

Other neighbors said they did not hear smoke detectors.

Firefighters from four municipalities were called to combat the blaze, which was so powerful they had to back down several times.

Finding evidence of criminal activity, the Ferguson Police Department requested the St. Louis County Bureau of Crimes Against Persons take over the investigation. 

Twins Ellie and Ivy were fourth-graders at Mason Ridge Elementary School. The Parkway School District notified parents of the 'sad news' in a letter.

The district announced that a crisis intervention team would meet with each fourth-grade class 'in order for students to begin processing their feelings.'

The blaze also claimed the lives of three family dogs, but around 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived, as they were located on a separate part of the property. 

A neighbor awoke shortly after 4:30 am on Monday and saw the glow of flames through his window. He ran over and banged on the door while his wife called 911

Pruessner taught in both Missouri and Illinois. In 2022, she joined Lewis and Clark Community College as a full-time faculty member

Neighbors said they did not hear smoke detectors after the fire broke out 

Firefighters from four municipalities were called to combat the blaze, which was so powerful that they were forced to back down several times

Around 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived the fire, as they were located on a different part of the property

Dara Ashby with the Ferguson Animal Coalition confirmed that relatives would care for some of the animals, while others would be rehomed. 

Pruessner was a teacher who worked in both Missouri and Illinois.

She received the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence in 2013.

In 2022, Pruessner joined Lewis and Clark Community College as a full-time faculty member after serving as an adjunct instructor. 

The 38-year-old held teaching certifications in agriculture, elementary education, English language arts, early childhood education and family and consumer science. 

Jared Spader, the father of Jackson and Millie, released a statement in conjunction with David Pruessner, the father of Ellie and Ivy.

'What I would want everyone to know about my two wonderful children is they are the greatest gift that a father could ever ask for,' it read.

'Jackson was the most incredible older brother, kind, intuitive and gentle. He loved his sisters, being outside, sports, art and he was always so in tune with the needs of others.

'Millie was a funny, charismatic, sweet, and kind little sister who brightened every moment of every day for all of us.'

The statement continued: 'They were the two most beautiful souls that a father could ask for, and they were a gift to our lives in every way. As Dads right now we have to focus on honoring the four beautiful lives and we plan to do that together.'

The heartbroken fathers thanked the community for its support, citing the generosity of both strangers and loved ones. 'We will continue to need it,' they wrote.