Just two weeks after beating bone cancer, 13-year-old Jerilynn Brown died in a devastating house fire on July 4, 2025, in Independence, Missouri. Authorities believe smoldering consumer-grade fireworks from the night before may have ignited the flames that engulfed the family’s farmhouse.
Fire crews arrived at the scene around 5 a.m., but the house was already consumed. Jerilynn was found dead inside. Her mother, Liz Stephens, remains in critical condition, while a man injured in the fire later died. The home had no working smoke alarms, and Fire Chief Jimmy Walker stressed, “They do alert you in early stages of fires… and they do save lives.”
Jerilynn had just completed her cancer treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Known for her bright spirit, she created handmade gifts for medical staff and inspired those around her. Her father, Jerry Brown, said, “I want her to be remembered for who she was: she was a bright soul… What I’ll miss the most are her hugs.”
A GoFundMe page has raised over $9,000 to support the family with funeral expenses and rebuilding efforts. Tributes poured in across social media. One volunteer wrote, “Jerilynn was so fun to talk to… This is just heartbreaking.” Another family friend shared, “She will always be looking down on us.”
State officials have reported a surge in fireworks-related incidents this year. Fire Marshal Tim Bean warned, “We’ve seen more fires, explosions, injuries, and deaths than any other Independence Day in recent memory.” Authorities urge caution and emphasize the dangers of mishandling fireworks—even hours after use.
