Family Members Charged with Blast that Killed Three in Troy, IL
Edwardsville Intelligencer, Ill.
(TNS)
May 30—Nearly two months after an April 5 explosion at a Troy home left three people dead, Madison County prosecutors announced charges against three members of the family who lived there.
Colton K. Cissell, 22, of Troy, faces six felony charges tied to the explosion at 8004 W. Kirsch Road in unincorporated Troy.
The explosion killed Ayden R. Hendrickson, 19, of Collinsville; Madeleine Maxeiner, 18, of Troy; and Paisley Nishwitz, 12, of Troy.
The charges include a Class 1 felony tied to possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices, three counts of involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and possession of explosive material without a license.
Prosecutors allege Colton Cissell was making and possessing explosive materials inside the home, conduct that caused the blast that killed the three victims, according to charging documents.
Kenneth R. Cissell, 48, and Roberta D. Cissell, 43, both of Troy, each face one count of child endangerment.
The charges against Kenneth and Roberta Cissell accuse them of allowing explosive devices to be manufactured in the home, which prosecutors say caused the explosion. Prosecutors allege their actions were a proximate cause of Nishwitz's death. Those charges carry a sentencing range of probation to 10 years in prison, according to the state's attorney's office.
"These charges are the result of an extensive investigation and a thorough review by this office. They reflect the seriousness of the incident and the tragic loss of life that resulted," Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine said in a news release. "This case involves allegations of conduct that created an extreme danger to others and ultimately resulted in tragedy. Our office takes those allegations very seriously."
Search records described explosive materials
The charges follow a nearly two-month investigation into the explosion and fire.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office previously said investigators determined the initial explosion resulted from the mishandling of "commercial-grade energetic material."
Authorities also conducted controlled explosions of material found at the scene in the days after the blast.
The charges follow details investigators outlined in court records filed shortly after the explosion, which pointed to explosive materials being stored and manufactured on the property.
Search warrant records filed earlier in the case provide additional detail about what investigators found and what family members told authorities after the explosion.
Those records say Roberta Cissell told investigators Colton Cissell made Tannerite bombs and belonged to a club that manufactures fireworks.
Dennis Grapperhaus, the owner of the residence, told investigators Colton Cissell was known to make Tannerite explosives in the garage.
Kenneth and Roberta Cissell told investigators they were in their bedroom when they heard a loud boom and the house caught fire. They told investigators they escaped through a bedroom window and found Colton Cissell outside the house with severe burns and injuries.
Investigators also reported finding containers in an enclosed trailer and exterior shed with markings indicating energetic material or precursors to energetic material.
A vehicle registered to Colton Cissell had cardboard tubes and possible explosive-making materials in plain view, according to the warrant records.
A fourth person was hospitalized with significant burns after the explosion.
The case was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad, FBI, ATF, Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office, Madison County Coroner's Office, Troy Police Department, Troy Fire Protection District and other fire departments.
"This was a devastating event that deeply affected the community," Haine said. "We have a duty to seek accountability when the facts and the law warrant it."
Alton Telegraph staff writer Steve Whitworth contributed to this story. These individuals have only been charged and remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All charges may not be reported.
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