13-Year-Old Jerilynn Brown Dies in 'Devastating' House Fire Just Weeks After Beating Cancer

A holiday morning turned fatal for a Missouri girl who had recently returned home after beating a difficult disease, as a blaze linked to fireworks tore through her family's farmhouse.

Just two weeks after leaving the hospital following her recovery from bone cancer, 13-year-old Jerilynn Brown of Independence, Missouri, was killed on July 4, 2025, in a house fire that injured two other people and destroyed the property. Days later, officials confirmed that one of the injured victims had also died. Authorities believe smoldering fireworks used the night before likely started the blaze.

At approximately 5 a.m. on July 4, emergency crews from the Independence Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 1101 North Lake City Valley Road, near East Bundschu Road in Buckner, located in Jackson County.

When firefighters arrived, the farmhouse was already consumed by heavy flames. Officials launched what they described as an "aggressive attack" to control the blaze, but sadly, Jerilynn was found deceased inside the home.

Two other people were hospitalized with serious injuries — Jerilynn's mother, Liz Stephens, and a man who has not been publicly named. The man later died from his injuries on Sunday, as confirmed by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Liz remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Additionally, a firefighter sustained injuries while responding to the emergency, according to Jerry Brown, Jerilynn's father.

Investigators with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety and the Independence Fire Department have determined that the flames originated on the home's covered back deck.

Fireworks that had been used the previous night were found nearby and have not been ruled out as the cause of the incident. Authorities believe the spent, consumer-grade fireworks may have smoldered for hours before igniting the deadly fire.

"Hours can elapse while a fire smolders," Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker explained. "This can happen at any time… we always have to worry about smoldering fires and the fact that they can go undiscovered for a number of hours and eventually become out of hand very quickly."

The fire chief added that the farmhouse had no working smoke alarm. "While they don't extinguish fires," he said, "they do alert you in early stages of fires to let you get out and stay out and they do save lives."

The emotional toll of the tragedy has rippled throughout the Independence Fire Department and the surrounding community. Battalion Chief Eric Michel remarked, "It just crushes my heart that this family is probably never going to have another Independence Day that they'll enjoy."

The department also brought in peer counselors over the holiday weekend to help support affected firefighters. "To see a young girl who just beat cancer to have to have [sic] it end like this," Fire Chief Jimmy shared, "I'm speaking on all of our folks — our heart goes out and we are all very upset about this as well."

Meanwhile, Jerry described the unimaginable loss of his daughter, who had just beaten osteosarcoma — a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer— after months of treatment.

"I want her to be remembered for who she was: she was a bright soul," he said. Jerilynn was discharged from Children's Mercy Hospital in late June after completing her treatment.

During her stay, the teenager used her artistic talents to create handmade gifts for every nurse and doctor who cared for her. Additionally, the entire medical team signed a heart-shaped craft she made — a gesture her father said reflected the love and strength she showed even while dealing with her disease.

The teenager's personality and resilience left a lasting impression. Stephen Miller, who shares a child with Jerilynn's mother, remembered her determination. "Jerilynn was very outgoing, loved life," Stephen said. "Fought that cancer until she beat it."

"Everybody who met her knows how good and awesome she is," Jerry added while speaking about his daughter. When asked what he would miss most, he said simply, "Her hugs."

A GoFundMe titled "Help Jerry & Liz Rebuild After Tragic House Fire," was created by Karleigh Burnett to help raise money to support the devastated family, who didn't just lose a daughter but also everything they owned.

The campaign page describes Jerilynn as "a bright, brave, and beautiful soul [...]" It continues, "Her strength and spirit touched everyone who knew her. To have her taken so suddenly after all she had endured is beyond heartbreaking."

The fundraiser also talked about Liz, who is currently fighting her injuries in the hospital while Jerry stays by her side.

As of this writing, the GoFundMe has collected over $9,000 toward its $11,000 goal, with donations intended to cover Jerilynn's funeral expenses, ongoing medical treatment for Liz, and the replacement of essential items lost in the fire.

As news about the house fire spread, heartfelt tributes appeared on social media from those who had known Jerilynn and her family personally and followed her courageous journey.

On July 4, Earlene Stotts Hazelrigg described her as "an amazing young woman" who had just completed "the biggest battle of her life in conquering Osteosarcoma."

She shared memories of watching Jerilynn and her siblings grow up at Kansas City Mavericks hockey games and asked for prayers for Liz, "as she is clinging to life since the fire."

That same day, Trisha Sullivan, a Make-A-Wish volunteer, reflected on her visit with Jerilynn and her family, recalling how excited the teen had been to share her wish to go to Hawaii.

She said Jerilynn "was so fun to talk to" and expressed deep sorrow that the family lost not only their home but "this amazing girl."

On July 6, Stephen posted a short tribute that captured the sentiment many shared, "She will always be looking down on us."

Unfortunately, the Independence blaze was one of five fireworks-related fires under investigation in Missouri following the July 4 holiday, according to a July 7 release from the Division of Fire Safety.

"Tragically, we have seen more fires, explosions, injuries and deaths this July 4th holiday that appear to be related to fireworks than any other Independence Day holiday in recent memory," said State Fire Marshal Tim Bean.

He urged Missourians to be cautious with leftover consumer fireworks and warned that making homemade fireworks is extremely dangerous.

Furthermore, he warned that while fireworks may seem harmless because they're sold at retail stands, the flash powder inside is highly sensitive and must be handled with extreme care.