NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children die in house fire in Minnesota
US sports journalist Jessi Pierce and her three children have been killed in a house fire in Minnesota.
The reporter, who covered NHL hockey in the US, died when flames tore through her home in White Bear Lake at around 5.30am on Sunday.
The NHL confirmed the 37-year-old had died along with children Hudson, Cayden and Avery, in a statement released on Sunday.
Jessi covered Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and previously wrote for The Athletic, US Hockey, Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey.
The NHL said in a statement: ‘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.’
Minnesota Wild also paid tribute to the writer, who also co-hosted a podcast called Bardown Beauties.
They said: ‘The Minnesota Wild organisation 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’.
Firefighters were called to the blaze in Richard Avenue and found Jessi and her children inside along with a dog.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Michael Russo, a reporter for The Athletic, sent condolences to her husband, Mike.
He said: ‘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.’