WHITE BEAR LAKE, NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children lost their lives in a tragic house fire at their residence in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, over the weekend. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, although officials have ruled out arson.
According to the White Bear Lake Fire Department, emergency crews responded to a 911 call at approximately 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 21. Neighbors had reported seeing flames coming through the roof and indicated that people were likely inside the home.
The fire resulted in the deaths of Jessi Pierce, 37, along with her three children, Cayden, Hudson, and Avery. Authorities confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the blaze is still ongoing.
In an initial statement, fire officials said that crews arrived to find the structure fully engulfed in flames and immediately began firefighting operations.
Officials later stated that early findings have not shown any evidence suggesting the fire was intentionally set. They emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and remains active.
The fire department also noted that their primary focus is supporting those affected by the tragedy, conducting a thorough investigation, and ensuring the well-being of first responders involved in the incident.
Reports indicate that Pierce’s children were aged 4, 6, and 8.
Jessi Pierce had been a contributor to NHL.com for the past 10 seasons. She was a graduate of Iowa State University and was deeply involved in Minnesota sports coverage. In addition to her reporting, she co-hosted the “Bardown Beauties” podcast focused on the Minnesota Wild.
Throughout her career, she also contributed to outlets such as USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey Journal, Massachusetts Hockey, The Athletic, and the B1G Ice Hockey blog.
A day before the incident, Pierce had shared a photo on social media showing a moment with her children.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Hinrichs.
The Minnesota Wild organization released a statement expressing their grief, describing Pierce as a kind and compassionate individual who was dedicated to her family and her work in hockey. They extended their condolences to her loved ones.
Following the tragedy, supporters created a GoFundMe fundraiser titled “Support Mike Hinrichs After Losing Jessi (Pierce) & Children.”
As of the latest update, more than $174,000 had been raised to assist the family during this difficult time.
