The Bristol County DA Says It Incorrectly Declared a 10th Person Dead in Fall River Fire

The woman is alive, but in critical condition

Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Lindsey Poole / RIPBS
Share
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Lindsey Poole / RIPBS
The Bristol County DA Says It Incorrectly Declared a 10th Person Dead in Fall River Fire
Copy

The Bristol County District Attorney’s office said Friday it had mistakenly announced that a 10th person had died in the fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River.

The DA’s office said yesterday that 66-year-old Brenda Cropper had died. But now, the DA said that the mistake was due to “a miscommunication with a medical agency.”

Cropper is still alive, the DA said, but she remains in critical condition.

Nine others died in the Gabriel House fire. An investigation into the fire’s cause is still ongoing, but Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon said he believes it was accidental.

The DA’s office has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Public’s Radio.

A deed filed on Thursday shows that the Star Store’s longtime owner, Paul Downey, is transferring the downtown property to the Arts & Business Council Of Greater Boston. New Bedford’s mayor will announce the redevelopment plans at a press conference Monday morning
We highlight a few of the many events happening across the Community Libraries of Providence – from summer reading programs to summer concerts. Plus: a community action (book) club for teens at the Wanskuck Library
New UNH survey shows only 15% feel better off than last year, while Gov. McKee’s approval sinks to 19% and majority say he shouldn’t seek re-election
Providence and Central Falls also targeted for potential loss of federal funds for defying Trump administration’s immigration policy
A new draft report says the school would keep more primary care doctors in Rhode Island
Family drama atop the famed New England grocery chain is spilling into public view again, more than 10 years after an employee- and customer-led boycott nearly crippled the company.