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US4 min(s) read
Published 11:15 23 Mar 2026 GMT
A heartbreaking final post from an NHL reporter showing her three children has resurfaced after they were all killed in a tragic house fire.
Jessi Pierce, 37, and her children, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery, were found dead following a devastating house fire at their home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, on Saturday (March 21) morning.
On Friday (March 20), a day before the tragedy, Pierce took her kids to Cup and Cone, a family-owned ice cream stand celebrating its 53rd opening day.
Despite long lines stretching down the sidewalk, the children waited patiently before being rewarded with sprinkle-covered ice cream and a sub sandwich from a nearby stand.
In the wholesome snaps, her children smiled as they ate their treats. One son balanced a sandwich with slices of cheese slipping out, while her daughter donned scuffed leggings and mismatched socks.
"Bag(s) secured," the beloved reporter captioned the post.
The following morning, tragedy unfolded. Per the White Bear Lake Fire Department, crews responded to a residential structure fire at around 5:25AM on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue.
Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved fire and quickly began suppression efforts. Inside, they located an adult, three children, and a dog. All were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our hearts ache for all those involved in this tragedy," Fire Chief Greg Peterson wrote in a news release. "We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time."
Pierce had spent the past decade covering the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and was known for her work across several hockey publications, such as USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey.
She also worked for the Wild organization and co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast.
Following news of her death, the NHL released a statement honoring her legacy: "The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children. Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly."
Colleagues and friends also shared emotional tributes. "Jessi Pierce (Hinrichs) was the most vibrant person - the life of the party, always with a smile on her face, always bringing a passion to every article and podcast and interview she did," Michael Russo wrote on X.
"Jessi simply loved covering the Wild and hockey throughout Minnesota and had a way of brightening everyone’s day with her upbeat, bubbly personality. I have literally NEVER met anybody that had a way of being EVERYBODY’s friend."
He added: "Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy....A lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi every day, laughing with her every day. The press box and press room won’t be the same without her."
Others reflected on how Pierce spent her final day doing what she loved most.
"From a @mnwild practice in the morning to enjoying ice cream with her kids in the afternoon, if there is any solace in this tragedy, it’s that Jessi’s last day was spent doing the things she loved most—covering hockey and being a mom,” Zach Halverson penned.
"The rink will never be the same without her smile, her humor, and her passion for the game. There was never a moment that wasn’t made better by her presence. This is a gigantic loss for the State of Hockey, and my heart breaks for her husband, Mike, and the rest of her family and friends," he added.
Pierce is survived by her husband, Mike.
