BREAKING - Charges filed regarding fatal April explosions in Troy
Three charged following three deaths in the wake of the blast
On April 5, 2026, a series of explosions in Troy killed 18-year-old Madeleine I. Maxeiner, 19-year-old Ayden R. Hendrickson, and 12-year-old Paisley Nishwitz. The explosion led to a subsequent house fire, and all three victims were killed by smoke inhalation. On Saturday afternoon, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office released charges filed in the wake of that incident.
One of the suspects, Colton K. Cissel, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the blast. Multiple “commercial-grade energetic devices” were discovered at the scene and safely disposed of by the Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad. Two other individuals were identified as guardians during the investigation of the case, and they have been charged as well following multiple interviews and search warrants.
Colton K. Cissel, 22, was charged with six felonies following the fatal blasts. They include:
Possession of Explosives or Explosive or Incendiary Devices (Class 1 Felony) for allegedly knowingly possessing explosive materials to commit the offense of Child Endangerment.
Involuntary Manslaughter (Class 2 Felony) for allegedly acting recklessly without legal justification in the possession and manufacture of explosive materials in a way that ended in the death of Nishwitz.
Involuntary Manslaughter (Class 2 Felony), see above, but for the death of Maxeiner.
Involuntary Manslaughter (Class 3 Felony), see above, but regarding the death of Hendrickson, who was not a family or household member as the other two were, which seems to carry an elevated charge.
Endangering the Life or Health of a Child (Class 3 Felony) for allegedly causing the endangerment of Nishwitz’s life while possessing and manufacturing explosive materials, eventually causing the death of that child.
Possession of Explosive Material Without a License (Class 3 Felony) for allegedly possessing said materials without a state-recognized license.
Kenneth Cissel, 48, was charged with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child, a Class 3 Felony, for allegedly permitting the manufacture and possession of explosive devices within the home, causing the endangerment and eventual death of Nishwitz.
Roberta Cissel, 43, also faces that charge for the same reasons.
Colton Cissel has been arrested and is currently in the custody of the Madison County Jail, facing a detention hearing. Both Kenneth Cissel and Roberta Cissel remain at large. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office noted in a Facebook post announcing the charges and arrest that both Kenneth and Roberta will be arrested, charged, and likely released as per the SAFE-T Act, making their charges no longer detainable following Illinois’s abolition of cash bail.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and even then, it depends on how much you trust the criminal justice system.