Background: News footage of the home in Troy, Ill., that exploded on April 5 (KSDK). Insets (left to right): Kenneth Cissell, Roberta Cissell, and Colton Cissell (Madison County Sheriff”s Office).
In a tragic turn of events following a deadly explosion at a residence in Illinois, criminal charges have been filed against three individuals. The incident, which took place in Troy, Illinois on April 5, resulted in the deaths of three people.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office revealed on Saturday that Kenneth Cissell, aged 48, Roberta Cissell, aged 43, and their 22-year-old son, Colton Cissell, now face charges related to the explosion that obliterated their home. Among the deceased was Roberta Cissell’s daughter, adding a personal dimension to the tragedy.
It has been alleged by prosecutors that both Kenneth and Roberta Cissell, who are Colton’s father and stepmother, were aware that explosive materials were present in their home when the explosion occurred. This knowledge has led to significant legal repercussions for the family.
Specifically, Kenneth and Roberta Cissell have been charged with endangering the life or health of a child. After being arrested, they were briefly held at the Madison County Jail before being released over the weekend.
Colton Cissell is confronting more severe charges, including three counts of involuntary manslaughter. Additionally, he faces accusations of endangering the life or health of a child, possessing explosives, and holding explosive materials without proper licensing. Unlike his parents, Colton remains in custody as he awaits a detention hearing.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies arrived at the Cissell’s rented home on April 5 in response to reports of a house fire that ignited following the explosion. Court documents, as provided by local NBC affiliate KSDK, indicate that while Kenneth and Roberta managed to escape the ensuing blaze, Colton sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was subsequently airlifted to the hospital for treatment.
Three people inside the house were pronounced dead — 19-year-old Ayden Hendrickson, 19-year-old Madeleine Cissell, and 12-year-old Paisley Nishwitz. The Belleville News-Democrat, a local news outlet, reported that Madeleine Cissell, who has also been identified as Madeleine Maxeiner, was Roberta Cissell’s daughter. Hendrickson was her boyfriend. Paisley was under the short-term guardianship of Kenneth Cissell at the time of her death, the Belleville News-Democrat reported. KSDK reported that authorities believed the three victims were sleeping at the time of the explosion.
Police spoke to Kenneth Cissell and Roberta Cissell, who said that they were aware of Colton Cissell making bombs in the home with Tannerite. The parents told police that their son was involved with a fireworks club. Colton Cissell was interviewed by police while he was hospitalized, and police said he admitted to using a laser cutter near the explosives.
The sheriff’s office accused Kenneth Cissell and Roberta Cissell of knowingly allowing Colton Cissell to have illegal explosives in the house.
According to the Belleville News-Democrat, Madeleine’s father filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Cissells and the owner of the property that the Cissells were renting.
Court dates for the Cissells were not publicly available.
