WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (FOX 9) – Jessi Pierce, a beloved sports reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild, is identified as the woman found dead following the White Bear Lake house fire.

Her three children and their dog were also found dead in the blaze.

The Minnesota Wild identified her the following day.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Minnesota hockey reporter and her children found dead in White Bear Lake house fire

What they’re saying:

The Minnesota Wild shared the following statement:

“The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children. Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL. Jessi and her children will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them.”

Tributes to Jessi Pierce and her family

Local perspective:

Jessi also ran a podcast called The Bardown Beauties with her co-host Kristen Krull, who shared the following on social media:

NHL reporter for the The Athletic, Michael Russo, spoke on the “unimaginable loss”, adding that “The press box and press room won’t be the same without her.”

The Minnesota Frost also shared a tribute to Pierce, writing: “Jessi Pierce has been with the Frost since day one as a support, a voice, and – most importantly – a friend. The tragic loss of Jessi and her children is devastating, and we are heartbroken. The joy she brought to the rink and our organization will forever be remembered.

“The Frost send love to Jessi’s family, friends, and all the lives she touched. We will miss her dearly.”

White Bear Lake Fire official report

The backstory:

The White Bear Lake Fire Department said its crews responded to a reported fire at a single-family home in the 2100 block of Richard Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Neighbors who called 911 reported seeing flames coming through the roof of the house and said there were likely people inside.

Arriving firefighters then “found a fully involved structure fire” and tried to suppress it.

Firefighters then found a deceased adult as well as three deceased children inside the house. Speaking with FOX 9 on Sunday, White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson confirmed Pierce was the adult victim found dead after the fire.

Crews also located a dead dog.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.