Husband Speaks Out After Tragic Loss of NHL Reporter and Three Children in House Fire
The husband of NHL reporter Jessi Pierce has publicly addressed the "unthinkable loss" of his wife and their three young children, who all died in a devastating house fire that engulfed their family home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, early last Saturday morning.
A Family Devastated by Tragedy
In a heartfelt statement released on Thursday via Fox 9, Mike Hinrichs and his family expressed their profound grief. "We are completely devastated at the tragic loss of Jessi, Hudson, Cayden and Avery Hinrichs," the statement read. "We have lost a beautiful wife, daughter, sister and friend in Jessi, and three amazing children who were the light of our lives, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, whose lives were all taken too soon."
The victims were identified as 38-year-old Jessi Pierce, whose legal name was Jessi Hinrichs, and her children: Hudson, aged 8, Cayden, aged 6, and Avery, aged 4. The family extended their gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the community, first responders, the Minnesota Wild, the NHL, and nationwide well-wishers during this immensely difficult period.
Firefighters Thwarted by Intense Blaze
According to reports from the Minnesota Star Tribune, the fire at the Hinrichs' family home was so severe and intense that police officers and firefighters were initially prevented from entering the property to attempt any rescue of potential survivors. Upon arrival, officers described seeing "flames shooting up dozens of feet in the air" from nearby streets, with the home "fully engulfed with flames erupting from the center of the dwelling."
Firefighters encountered similarly intense flames as they tried to breach the front door to begin firefighting and rescue operations, which tragically prevented their initial entry into the dwelling. Once the blaze was eventually contained, police and fire personnel discovered Jessi, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery deceased in the main living area near the front entryway. A deceased dog was also found at the scene.
Heartbreaking Notification and Investigation
Police reportedly reached Jessi's husband, Mike Hinrichs, by phone after being unable to enter the burning property. Mike was about to board a plane back to Minnesota when he received the gut-wrenching call. The father-of-three, who was away on work travel, confirmed that his wife and children should have been inside the home at the time.
An investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire is currently underway. Preliminary findings from the White Bear Lake Fire Department indicate there is no evidence that the fire was started intentionally, ruling out arson as a possibility. However, investigators are casting a wide net in their pursuit of answers.
A search warrant affidavit listed numerous items they intend to examine, including flammables, candles, electrical wiring, battery-operated devices, heating devices, household appliances, any altered natural gas piping, and vehicles that were on the property at the time of the incident.
Autopsy Results Pending and Community Support
Autopsy results for Jessi Pierce, who covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for the past decade, and her three children are pending the findings of toxicology results. In the meantime, a GoFundMe page has been established to help Mike Hinrichs during this time of need and to provide financial support for funeral costs. As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had brought in over $220,000, rapidly approaching its target goal of $250,000.
Jessi Pierce's podcast co-host and close friend, Kirsten Krull, spoke to the Daily Mail this week about the tragedy. "Mike is gonna need all the support moving forward, so to see all of the people wanting to support him is incredible," Krull said. "He was an amazing husband, an amazing father. He is amazing. And it just breaks my heart knowing that he's dealing with the worst thing that could have happened to him right now."
The family has requested continued privacy as they grieve this profound and heartbreaking loss.
