An Iowa woman was killed by wreckage from an explosion at a gender reveal party where a pipe bomb was “inadvertently” made.
According to NBC News, Saturday, a woman named Pamela Kreimeyer was killed at the party in Knoxville, Iowa. On Monday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office identified the body and released the information.
Reports say the Kreimeyer family had been experimenting with different types of explosive materials prior to the party, their goal was to record the gender reveal and share the moment with social media.
The day of, Pamela Kreimeyer and five other family members, which also included the expectant mother, gathered around for the big reveal. According to the publication, they placed gunpowder at the bottom of a homemade stand, welded to a metal base plate.
The sheriff’s office explained what happened in a statement, in which they said the accidental “pipe bomb” exploded, “sending metal pieces flying.” Of the debris that went flying, one struck Kreimeyer who stood 45 feet from the device and was killed instantly.
“Instead of the gunpowder shooting the powder out the top of the stand, the stand exploded sending metal pieces flying,” the sheriff’s office continued. They also noted the metal piece that hit Kreimeyer could have possibly continued another 144 yards through the air before landing in a field.
Reports say police received a 911 call about 4:03 p.m. and upon arrival, Kreimeyer was pronounced dead. As of now, the incident remains under investigation.
“This family got together for what they thought was going to be a happy event with no intent for anyone to get hurt,” said Sheriff Jason Sandholdt in a statement. “This is a reminder that anytime someone mixes these things, there is a high potential for serious injury or death; please do not take these unnecessary risks.”
