Five dead in shootings, suicide

Two children were found dead at 2068 Powderhorn Drive in Clearwater this morning. [Atoyia Deans | Times]

LARGO -- A Clearwater man is believed to have killed his ex-wife and her roommate in Largo and his two children, aged 4 and 2 in Clearwater before turning a gun on himself today.

Dead at their Largo apartment are Jennifer Renee Davis, 27, and her roommate, Andrea H. Pisanello, 53. At the Clearwater home of Oliver Thomas Bernsdorff, 36, police found the bodies of children Olivia and Magnus Bernsdorff, shown at right with Davis, their mother, in a bedroom. Police identified them through photos. Davis and Bernsdorff were divorced this fall, and she moved into the Monterey Lakes Apartments, 7501 Ulmerton Road in Largo, about a month ago.

The children were found at Bernsdorff's home at 2068 Powderhorn Drive in Clearwater.

Police said Bernsdorff, left, is believed to have driven his van to the Sunshine Skyway and shot himself when authorities tried to pull him over. But Clearwater police said tonight that investigators are still working to confirm his identity and might have to do so through DNA testing.

Largo police Lt. Mike Loux said a call was received at 6:40 a.m. today about shots fired.

When detectives arrived, Pisanello and Davis, left, were found dead inside a first-floor apartment. The women worked together at the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast and met at the Unitarian Universalists Church in Clearwater.

Monterey Lakes is a sprawling complex just west of U.S. 19.

Raashon Mayers, 25, who lives in a second-floor apartment just above the unit where the bodies were found, said he heard about five or six shots that sounded like hammering. But then he realized it was too early for someone to be hammering.

When he stepped outside, he said he heard a little girl screaming: "Mommy! Mommy!''  Mayers said the girl may have lived in the apartment with two women. 

In a 2002 interview with the Times, Bernsdorff said he earned his state of Florida high school diploma through the GED program in 1989. According to court records, he worked as a GED instructor for Pinellas County Schools.

In August, Bernsdorff filed for divorce from his ex-wife, Jennifer R. Bernsdorff, according to Pinellas Court records. The divorce became final last month. According to court documents, Oliver Bernsdorff was awarded primary custody of the couple's two children, 4-year-old Olivia Johanna, and 2-year-old Magnus Arwyn. Jennifer Bernsdorff said she worked at the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She agreed to pay $801.90 per month in child support. (This photo of the Bernsdorffs' wedding day comes from Mr. Bernsdorff's Web site.)

Bernsdorff's Web site says he helped Jennifer teach classes in husband-coached natural childbirth. He also posted several letters for his children. "I vow to embrace you with love, to hold your hand, to 'get your back,'" Bernsdorff wrote in a letter to Magnus. "But I also vow to love you enough to let you go, to step aside, to watch from a distance and see you soar when the time calls for it."

On the Web site, Bernsdorff describes himself as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Florida's college of education, where he got his master's in educational leadership. But USF spokesman Ken Guilette said Bernsdorff hasn't taught at the university since December 2004. His last day teaching was Dec. 21, 2004, the end of the fall semester. Bernsdorff was enrolled in graduate classes for his Ph.D. in spring 2007, Guilette said. But records show he did not enroll this semester.

St. Petersburg Rep. Bill Heller, a USF professor who served on Bernsdorff's doctoral committee, said he hasn't heard from him this fall. Bernsdorff stopped by to see Heller early this past summer to talk about the stalled progress on his dissertation, which examined South Americans' migration to Clearwater.

In June, Bernsdorff spoke on his reflections of being a father at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, where the family has regularly attended church and Sunday school for about four years, according to associate minister the Rev. Millie Rochester.

Asked whether she knew Bernsdorff well, Rochester said, "I thought I did."

"My main concern is for the congregation and the children," she said. "It's so fresh."

Rochester said church members have been calling her since the news broke, seeking answers and comfort. Everyone is shocked, she said.

On his MySpace page, Bernsdorff said he has a "hippyish spirit" and said people around town might have seen his colorfully painted "happy bus." He also said he loved the ocean, cooking, and reading and did not own a television set. He said his children, of whom he had custody, were "simply amazing little human beings." Here he can be seen with his daughter Olivia.

Jose Cardenas and Melanie Ave, Times staff writers

The suspect's car was found in mangroves on the Manatee County side of the Skyway. A person inside the vehicle apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [Janel Schroeder-Norton | Times]

Comments

[Hallie]

oh my god, I can't believe this, I will miss you all so much. I'm sorry it came to this. And those babies.... I sob as I type. You both changed my life, and Jenn you shaped the mother I am today. Peace to all this holiday....

What a terrible tragedy!
(..prayers for the family)

[tony]

tragedy indeed. however, whoever wrote this article and ok'd it for copy needs to go back to journalism class. i had to read it 3x to make sense of it.

A prime example of what appears rosy on the outside, is quite the contrary. The fact he's a GED "Graduate" should ring some bells.

The lenders that loaned them $224,000 in student loans and $50,000 in credit card debt, described in marriage dissolution, should be arrested.

[chris m.]

May God have mercy on his soul,especially for hurtimg those innocent children!They were to have a life too, but never had the chance.God be with you for the holidays.. chris

[Kevin]

2:59, being a "GED Graduate" has nothing to do with this so take your foot out of your mouth.

my thoughts a prayers....

Someone needs to go back and get some reading comprehension. The article says he is a GED teacher!

"On his personal Web site Bernsdorff writes that he is a GED teacher at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater and an occasional adjunct instructor in the college of education at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg. He also said he is a doctoral candidate at USF completing a dissertation toward a doctorate in interdisciplinary education."

[Tom]

Can't we all just get along?

'tis the season, apparently. You've got one guy tossing gasoline over a pregnant woman and lighting her on fire, another car jacking, and now this horrible tragedy.

Is it a full moon?

In a 2002 interview with the Times, Bernsdorff said he earned his state of Florida high school diploma through the GED program in 1989.

[worried]

What the heck does the full moon have to do with anything? I live in the complex; two buildings away from where this happened and this is a sad sad day for everyone (those living & those dead). I cry over and over again. Waking up to something like this is very tramatic knowing that 15 minutes before I walked outside to my own porch to drink my coffee, this man was steps away. That 4-year old girl in the apartment was there when this man killed her mother. She will live with this the rest of her life and you guys are discussing this man's profession. I saw her scared little face and the fear in her eyes when I took her a pink teddy-bear to hug. I cry again and again knowing that this could happen.

[Corchelle Long]

Sorry this tragedy had to happen right before the holidays my thoughts and prayers goes out to the family memebers of the innoncent victims.

I'm sorry, but what does being a GED graduate have to do with anything? Especially considering the state of education in FL. No one HAS to get a GED. No one HAS to further their education.

I'd like ONE person who thinks GED has anything to do with this crime give some valid and reputable statistics that back up their judgmental comments. Otherwise just admit you are someone talking out of their rears.

FYI, GED is a diploma in FL. Oooh, be scared.

Horrible tragedy. Thoughts go out to the family members.

[MR.G]

Just like humanity to be barking at each other over something so trivial as a G.E.D. Mentality such as this is what leads to the world and its problems. Fools. Gods blessings and grace to you ALL! God be with those who are affected. And thank God those children are covered by Gods grace and are in heaven.

[John]

Educated uneducated...what does it matter. There are people with major issue that we deal with everyday. Most have enough sense not to carry thru on their sick thoughts.

As sick as it is it is amazing things don't happen like this more often....but what did killing the kids solve?

[Doug]

Clearly, Oliver had lost his mind and was not himself when he did these terrible things. This is not the act of a rational person. The circumstances of his divorce seemed to have pushed him over the edge. Hopefully, she didn't marry him and use him for the sole purpose of becoming a mother while all the time knowing she only liked other women and the marriage was sham. Sometimes, the kids will suffer in an ex-spouse's attempt to "punish" the other ex. Even if this wasn't the case, I'm sure it has happened before and if this was the case, he was the person that pulled the trigger and did the killing. I hate to see kids suffer due to the acts of adults, who should know better.

[Pat]

Why in the heck should the lender be blamed for this guy's actions? How irrational is that? The commentors were making the point that something must have been off for a person who could later go to college to have to get a GED. Duh.

[Pat]

Wonder why he had to get a GED instead of graduating with his class, could be nothing, could be something. Sometimes emotional problems start early.

Pat, I think the person remarking about the amounts lent out was simply saying that they should be looked into for lending such large amounts, one on top of the other. Not that they are culpable for this tragedy.

I don't understand what your comment has about GED and college has to do with that remark, but ok...

Could be nothing, could be something is exactly right. There are a trillion reasons why people drop out. Boredom, illness, the need to care for family, work, being behind, disability. The list could go on and on. I can't imagine the attitude it must take to think that one act reflects on a person's ability to do something of this nature.

[yohann bach]

Tampa Bay Florida has some very disturbed and violent residents.

[John]

Let's see, close to $600,000 in debt on a roughly $50,000 a year salary, driving a 17 year old Toyota van from Clearwater to USF which likely means his credit was either maxed out or ruined, and his home is in his mother's name, possibly to hide it from the IRS, which he allegedly owed $24,000+ and were probably breathing down his neck...a fresh divorce with the immense new responsibility of being a middle aged, single father with primary custody, a demanding career, and continuing educational responsibilities...and likely discovering his ex with a woman...which may have pushed him over the edge? This is not a defense for the atrocities we've witnessed today in any way. Just makes you wonder how much it would take to make someone do something like this. I don't believe it was pre-meditated or he's psychotic, I think he just plain snapped from all the pressure.

[JAy]

Yo Mr.Oliver Was A Great Teacher GED Or Not He Was A Good Teacher....And He Will Be Missed I'm GED Grad And I Got My Own Business.......So It's More then Him Being A GED GRAD.....But R.I.P

JAy

2:59 PM is correct. Many times, a GED will cue a person that there was some kind of problem in the past. Not always, some are immigrants, home schooled and some are just emotionally disturbed.

[janet clark]

And sometimes high school doesn't meet the educational, social or financial needs of a student. Not all follow the high school to college to career path for many reasons and you need not cast aspersions on one who follows a different path.

[Lauren]

Everyone is talking about Oliver, Jenn and their two children. Andrea...now she was the most beautiful human being one could every hope to know. She spent her life helping people and she did it well. She was a social worker like no other. This is a tragic loss to the social work profession and everyone she touched! She mentored others so they could learn to help as well. I was one of those people. She was my mentor, my rock, and my friend. She was upbeat and happy. She had a great sense of humor and loved life. She loved her daughter more than anything in this world. She was compassionate and caring and kind. She spoke her mind and stood up for what she believed in. She is part..and she would never let me say she was the sole reason...but she was part, a big part of who I have become today. When I graduate Tuesday night, you'll be there, Andrea, watching me, smiling, and you'll be proud to take credit for the major part you played and the impact you made on my life. Your seat will be empty...but you will be there in spirit. I am proud to have known you as well as I did and thankful for the years and time you took to help guide me to become the social worker I have become today. I will make you proud and I know you will always be looking down on me smiling, giving me all the credit...but you, my dear Andrea, you helped make me who I have become. Your guidance, your "perfectly honest" constructive criticism, your pats on the back and hugs when I was in tears..they will be will me forever. I will cherish our time together and have been blessed to have known you. I will miss you forever. You are in a better place now, Andrea..a place of love and peace...and you will watch over us. You will never be forgotten! RIP

[Mia]

The point about the GED is that despite being a high school drop out, the man went back to get his GED, completed a college education and was now a doctoral student. That was the point. It would not be part of the article if he didn't have this information on a personal web page. He taught GED candidates at one point and showed them that there are other opportunities in this world even if you drop out of hight school. Why he did what he did today will never be known. It is a very sad story.

[Mia]

Lauren, my condolences on the loss of your friend, Andrea. I'm sure she was a wonderful person. Part of her will live in you. - Mia

[Sad today]

Rest in peace, Andrea. We'll miss you.

[Re Re]

This is truly a tragedy, and my prayers goes out to the deceased families. They might be gone, but never will they be forgotten according to the website. May God be with you during this difficult time.

[Jen]

It doesn't matter whether you are a rocket scientist or a ditch digger, you are still a human being. What happened today was completely inhumane. My heart breaks for the little girl who witnessed this atrocity. My thoughts and prayers will go out to their families during such a tragic time.

May God be with them, comfort them and guide them through these hard times.

[Sherry]

May the dead rest peacefully
and the living who loved them
find comfort in their prayers.

Blessed Blessed Be
to all of you.

If life is blessed
(and I believe it is),
perhaps death is a new beginning
to heal the soul again...

[jen]

I'm in shock. Both kids were such beautiful people and had such a full life ahead of them. How selfish of Oliver to take that away.

[Ann]

As a member of the church to which this family belonged, I am deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy. Such a waste and such a loss. It is too easy to own a gun in this country. My thoughts and prayers go out to the members of all their families for this horrific event.

[Ann]

As a member of the church to which this family belonged, I am deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy. Such a waste and such a loss. It is too easy to own a gun in this country. My thoughts and prayers go out to the members of all their families for this horrific event.

If it hadn't been a gun, it would have been something else. When someone is determined the method is a technicality.

She uses him to get two kids and then dumps him for her gay lover. Sounds like she drove him past his breaking point. If you kill her and yourself then the kids are probably better off dead.

I am appalled by some of these comments. In reference to the last comment 'let the one without sin cast the first stone'. Who are you to judge her?

I am appalled by some of these comments. In reference to the last comment 'let the one without sin cast the first stone'. Who are you to judge her?