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Tragic Explosion in Defiance
A heartbreaking incident occurred in the small Missouri town of Defiance, where a house explosion claimed the lives of two young boys.
Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6, perished in the early hours of Friday morning after their home near Highway 94, just outside St. Louis, caught fire. Their school had been closed due to severe weather, so the boys were at home at the time.
Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and their grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the blaze, as confirmed by officials and a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
Neighbor Sharon Oberlag described the boys as “the nicest little kids,” adding, “They thought school was amazing, and they were so adorable.”
Oberlag noted that due to the school closures, Julian and Jaiden, who had just started kindergarten, were home when the explosion occurred.
Firefighters arrived at the scene but were unable to save the boys, as the house was already engulfed in flames. New Melle Fire Protection District Chief Dan Casey reported that firefighters tried to enter through a window to locate the children but were hindered by the intense fire. The boys’ bodies were later found.
Oberlag, who heard the explosion, shared her grief: “It’s heartbreaking. We did everything we could, but it wasn’t enough.”
The cause of the explosion and subsequent fire is still under investigation.
The property was owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based business founded by Missourians David and Jerri Hoffmann. The company had plans to develop the area into a wine destination.
The Hoffmanns issued a statement expressing their condolences: “Our hearts go out to our team member and their family during this difficult time. As a family-run company, we are dedicated to supporting our staff and community.”
The house was near the Defiance RoadHouse, a bar and grill owned by Turpiano. Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, created a GoFundMe campaign for the family, which had raised over $145,000 by Monday morning. Both Turpiano and her mother, Jennifer Ham, have been active members of the local community.
The GoFundMe page highlights the boys’ joy and enthusiasm, saying, “If you ever met the boys at the Roadhouse, Christmas Festival, or St. Patrick’s Day parade, you’d remember how excited they were about life and how much joy they brought to everyone.”
The family now faces the added burden of funeral costs on top of losing their home and belongings. The statement on the GoFundMe page reads, “The family will need your prayers and emotional support as they grieve the loss of these special boys, in addition to your financial contributions.”
Neighbor Laura Emerson placed a Christmas wreath by the ruins of the house, adorned with two plush animals. “They were happy and loved. They brought joy to everyone around them,” she told the press.
