A heartbreaking tragedy struck a Missouri family on July 4, 2025, when 13-year-old Jerilynn Brown died in a house fire just weeks after completing treatment for bone cancer. The fire, which destroyed the family’s farmhouse in Jackson County, also seriously injured her mother, Liz Stephens, and another man who later passed away. Investigators believe the blaze may have been caused by smoldering fireworks left over from the previous night.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene around 5 a.m. to find the home engulfed in flames. Authorities later confirmed that the fire started on the back deck, where used fireworks had been found. Fire officials emphasized that such materials can smolder for hours before igniting and urged the public to be cautious, especially in homes without working smoke detectors.
Jerilynn had recently been discharged from the hospital after fighting osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. During her stay, she was known for her positive spirit and handmade gifts for hospital staff. Her family and community remember her as a creative, kind, and resilient young girl whose strength inspired many. Her father, Jerry Brown, said what he’d miss most were “her hugs.”
A GoFundMe campaign was created to help the family recover from the loss of their home and support Liz’s ongoing treatment. The tragedy, one of several fireworks-related incidents in Missouri that weekend, has prompted renewed warnings from fire officials about fireworks safety. Tributes have poured in across social media, honoring Jerilynn’s life and her courage through both illness and loss.