Brenda Cropper, 66, a woman who has been in critical condition since Sunday when flames engulfed the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence in Fall River, died after she was taken off life support, one of her children told MassLive on Friday.
District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III confirmed Cropper’s death in a Saturday morning statement.
“Ms. Cropper was pronounced deceased at 4:43 pm yesterday, 7/18/25,” Quinn’s statement said. “Her passing was expected. This officially brings the total number of fatalities from this devastating blaze to ten.”
A fire broke out at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday at 261 Oliver Street in Fall River, drawing nearly 50 firefighters to the scene and leaving a vulnerable population calling for help from their windows. Nine people were initially reported dead, with around 30 people hurt and several others displaced.
Quinn’s office stated that Cropper died on Wednesday. On Friday, Quinn’s office said she had not died and the previous release was due to a “miscommunication with a medical agency.”
One victim, a 70-year-old female, has still not been publicly identified because next of kin notification remains pending.
The other eight victims have previously been identified as:
- Rui Albernaz, 64
- Ronald Codega, 61
- Margaret Duddy, 69
- Robert King, 78
- Kim Mackin, 71
- Richard Rochon, 78
- Eleanor Willett, 86
- Joseph Wilansky, 77
MassLive reporter Hadley Barndollar contributed to the reporting of this story.
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