The US state of Missouri canceled school on Friday owing to extremely cold weather, telling siblings, ages 4 and 6, to stay at home. The brothers, referred to as the “sweetest little boys” by their neighbors, were at their house on a rare weekday when it exploded, killing them both.
The Missouri city of Defiance has been rocked by the murders of four-year-old Julian Keiser and his six-year-old sibling Jamison. A GoFundMe website set up for the bereaved family and accounts from officials indicate that the boys’ mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer Ham and Vern Ham, barely avoided the fire.
The ferocity of the flames hindered rescue efforts even after police and firefighters responded quickly, arriving on the scene minutes after the reported explosion. Reportedly, in a last-ditch effort to find the boys, firefighters broke into the burning home through a window. Julian and Jamison were discovered dead because they were unable to get to them in time.
A neighbor who heard the explosion and identified herself as Sharon Oberlag conveyed the shock and anguish of the community. “Everybody came running of course to help and, God, we never realized to lose the two little boys – it’s so sad what has happened,” she added. We’re still looking into what caused the explosion and fire that followed.
By Monday, over $145,000 had been raised, which is a significant amount due to the tremendous support that was received via a GoFundMe page created following the tragic event.
The mission statement for the campaign highlights the lasting memories that the guys left behind at the St. Patty’s Day parade, the Christmas Festival, and the Defiance Roadhouse. It accentuates their insatiable excitement and their enormous love for life when they are around everyone.
