A house explosion in Defiance, Missouri, on Friday morning claimed the lives of brothers Julian, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6. With schools closed due to extreme weather, the boys were home with their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham. While the adults escaped, the children could not be rescued from the flames. Fire crews arrived quickly but were unable to reach the boys in time. “The fire prevented them from being found right away,” said Chief Dan Casey of the New Melle Fire Protection District.
Neighbors described Julian and Jamison as bright, joyful children who loved school. “They thought school was the coolest thing ever,” said Sharon Oberlag. The home belonged to the Hoffmann Family of Companies, who expressed deep sorrow for the family’s loss. A GoFundMe organized by Dan Tripp of Good News Brewing has raised over $145,000 to help with funeral expenses and rebuilding.
Evelyn and her mother are active in the local merchants’ association, which has rallied around them. Neighbor Laura Emerson placed a Christmas wreath at the ruins, remembering the boys as “content, intelligent, happy, and loved.” The tragedy has left a deep void in the community, but the memory of Julian and Jamison will be cherished.
