A popular forestry scientist, his wife and their two adult children – described as “ambassadors” of archaeology in Arkansas – were killed after a suspected gas explosion leveled a home while they visited Michigan for the holidays.
Northfield Township Police identified the victims Tuesday as 51-year-old Hope Bragg, 53-year-old Don Bragg, 22-year-old Kenneth Bragg and 19-year-old Elizabeth Bragg. They were killed in the explosion Saturday that destroyed the home in Washtenaw County, approximately 10 miles north of Ann Arbor.
Police said no foul play is suspected in the explosion, which left the couple’s 16-year-old son, Stephen Bragg, in stable condition. The Braggs were visiting Hope’s father, Richard Pruden, 72, who owns the house, according to police. Pruden was listed in critical condition.
GoFundMe pages were set up for Stephen Bragg and Pruden.
A preliminary investigation found that a gas leak from an undetermined location caused the explosion, police said.
Matthew Rooney, an assistant professor and station archaeologist for the University of Arkansas at Monticello research station, recalled the family’s warmth and generosity in a Facebook post this week.
“They were the first people who welcomed me to Arkansas when I came here nearly three years ago,” Rooney wrote. “They were great supporters of my work and were always there to help me when I needed it.”
Don Bragg was project leader of the Southern Research Station of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. His wife, Hope, was an instructor for the 4-H youth development program of the university’s cooperative extension service.
Rooney recalled the Braggs took him to dinner his first night in Arkansas, followed by dessert at their home. They helped him move into his new place. Don also took Rooney and his kids on a tour of local historical and archaeological sites.
The Braggs also hosted dinner parties when Rooney hired new staff, and Hope helped recruit volunteers for his projects. Kenneth Bragg volunteered to help with Rooney’s field and lab work.
“I can’t say enough good things about Don. He was always there helping me, whether it was identifying sites, showing my students how to metal detect, or clearing trees so that I could survey and dig. He was a rock for me,” wrote Rooney, calling the Braggs “some of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever known.”
Scholarship to be named after Bragg family
The dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello reflected on Don Bragg’s achievements and love for his family in a Wednesday article for the university’s agriculture division.
“When you go in his office, the walls are full of awards,” Mike Blazier said. “When you walk up to his office door, there are crayon drawings from his children… For everything he accomplished, it was his children that were most dear.”
A scholarship named after the Braggs is being planned, as well as a memorial at the CA Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale, where four trees will be planted in honor of the victims, according to the article.
The Arkansas Archeological Survey, in a Facebook post, said the Braggs were “long-time members of the Arkansas Archeological Society and contributed hundreds (probably even thousands) of hours to archeological research in our state.”
“Beyond that, they were great people. Almost every person in the Survey has a story of one of the Braggs welcoming them, helping them, or providing advice and assistance on a project,” the post said.
“Hope, Don, Kenny, and Beth were all enthusiastic participants in projects as well as amazing ambassadors of archeology in Arkansas. They will be sorely missed.”
The explosion occurred about 3:50 p.m. Saturday. Officers received a call reporting debris found near Highway 23, adjacent to the street where the home was leveled, Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell told CNN affiliate WDIV.
Powell said in a statement that the single-family residence was completely destroyed, with a debris field covering approximately two acres.
“It sounded like something I remember from war,” said Scott McMillian, who lives about a mile from the house, told CNN affiliate WXYZ. “It was that loud.”
Three victims were found dead at the scene, and three others were transported to a nearby hospital. One of the three taken to the hospital died later, police said.
CNN’s Paradise Afshar and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.