Search warrant details probe of White Bear Lake fire that killed Jessi Hinrichs and three children
A Ramsey County search warrant made public details investigators’ probe of the March 21 White Bear Lake house fire that killed 38-year-old Jessi Hinrichs (known professionally as Jessi Pierce) and her three children — Hudson, 8; Cayden, 7; and Avery, 4 — whose bodies and the family dog were found together in the main living area after crews knocked down flames that had been shooting “dozens of feet” high and prevented rescue entry. The warrant authorizes collection of items such as ignitable liquids, extension cords, candles, chemicals, electrical wiring, gas lines, appliances, signs of tampering, charred materials and review of vehicles and documents; investigators say they contacted a man who identified himself as the homeowner and confirmed his family should have been inside, but officials stress there is no evidence so far the fire was intentionally set and the cause remains undetermined.
📌 Key Facts
- On March 21, a house fire in White Bear Lake killed four people: 38‑year‑old Jessi Hinrichs (who worked professionally as hockey reporter Jessi Pierce), her three children — Hudson Hinrichs, 8; Cayden Hinrichs, 7; and Avery Hinrichs, 4 — and the family dog.
- Responding officers and fire crews encountered a fully engulfed house with flames "shooting up dozens of feet" from the center, which prevented entry for rescue until firefighters knocked down the blaze; once crews could search, all four victims were found together in the main living area near the front entryway.
- A Ramsey County search warrant made public details evidence investigators are seeking, including ignitable liquids, extension cords, candles, chemicals, electrical wiring, gas lines, appliances, signs of tampering or forced entry, charred materials to gauge burn intensity, and it also authorizes review of vehicles and documents tied to activities around the time of the fire.
- Police called a phone number linked to the address and reached a man identifying himself as the homeowner, who said he was about to board a flight home and that his wife and three children should be inside.
- The White Bear Lake Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office say they have found no evidence so far that the fire was intentionally set; officials emphasize the investigation is in its early stages and the official cause of the fire and causes of death remain undetermined.
- Authorities say they are dedicating "all possible resources" to determine what led to the blaze and will release more information when the investigation is complete; the city's embedded mental‑health professional is working with fire staff and others to help process the tragedy.
- The Minnesota Wild and members of the hockey community identified Pierce as a "kind, compassionate" and dedicated ambassador for the game; GM Bill Guerin, coach John Hynes, captain Jared Spurgeon and player Marcus Foligno gave on‑record comments expressing shock and grief, and the team played (and beat) the Dallas Stars hours after learning of the deaths.
📰 Source Timeline (7)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 27, 2026
4:37 PM
White Bear Lake fatal fire: Search warrant reveals new details
New information:
- Search warrant filed in Ramsey County has been made public, outlining evidence sought in the White Bear Lake fire that killed Jessi (Pierce) Hinrichs and her three children on March 21.
- Responding officers and fire crews encountered a 'fully engulfed' house with flames 'shooting up dozens of feet in the air' from the center of the dwelling, preventing any entry for rescue until after knockdown.
- All four victims were found together in the main living area at the front of the home near the entryway once crews could search.
- Police called a phone number linked to the address and reached a man identifying himself as the homeowner, who said he was about to board a flight home and that his wife and three children should be inside.
- Investigators are collecting items such as ignitable liquids, extension cords, candles, chemicals, electrical wiring, gas lines, appliances, and signs of tampering or forced entry, as well as charred materials to gauge burn intensity.
- The warrant also authorizes review of vehicles and documents tied to activities around the time of the fire; authorities reiterate they have found no evidence so far that the fire was intentionally set and causes of death remain undetermined.
March 26, 2026
12:38 AM
White Bear Lake fatal fire: Officials release details on ages of children found dead
New information:
- White Bear Lake Fire Department has released the names and exact ages of the three children: Hudson Hinrichs, 8; Cayden Hinrichs, 7; and Avery Hinrichs, 4.
- Confirms their mother’s legal name as 38‑year‑old Jessi Hinrichs, who went professionally by Jessi Pierce, and that the family dog also died in the fire.
- Officials reiterate there is currently no evidence the fire was intentionally set, while the cause remains under investigation.
March 25, 2026
March 24, 2026
12:19 AM
White Bear Lake fatal fire: No evidence fire was intentionally set
New information:
- White Bear Lake Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office say they have found no evidence so far that the fire was intentionally set.
- Officials emphasize the investigation is still in its early stages and the official cause of the fire remains undetermined.
- The city’s embedded mental-health professional is working with fire staff and others to help them process the tragedy.
- Fire agencies state they are dedicating 'all possible resources' to determine what led to the blaze and will release more information when the investigation is complete.
March 23, 2026
8:34 PM
Wild players, staff shocked after Jessi Pierce’s death in White Bear Lake fire
New information:
- Wild GM Bill Guerin, coach John Hynes, captain Jared Spurgeon and forward Marcus Foligno gave on‑record comments describing their shock, grief and memories of Jessi Pierce.
- Guerin emphasized that players, coaches and media are "all in this hockey world together" and said the team would miss her and support the media contingent.
- Spurgeon recalled Pierce bringing her children into the dressing room for interviews and described the team as "very shook" by the news.
- The story notes the Wild played and beat the Dallas Stars 2‑1 in overtime just hours after learning of the deaths, and will carry the loss with them on a three‑game road trip.
- White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson is quoted by name confirming that Pierce was the adult victim found in the home.
March 22, 2026
5:34 PM
Beloved hockey reporter Jessi Pierce identified as woman who died in White Bear Lake fire
New information:
- The adult woman killed in the White Bear Lake house fire has been identified as hockey reporter Jessi Pierce, who covered the Minnesota Wild and the NHL.
- The Minnesota Wild organization issued a formal statement describing Pierce as a 'kind, compassionate' person and a 'dedicated ambassador' for the game.
- FOX 9 confirms that all three children killed in the fire were Pierce’s children, along with the family dog.
March 21, 2026