Matthew Badger was a father who loved his three daughters more than anything in the world. He was also a man who faced unimaginable grief and pain when he lost them in a horrific house fire on Christmas Day in 2011. But he did not let his tragedy define him. He channeled his sorrow into a noble cause and found a new purpose in life. He also found love and happiness with his girlfriend, Abby Ballin, who supported him through his darkest days. Sadly, Matthew passed away on February 9, 2017, at the age of 51, due to natural causes. He was surrounded by his friends and family, who mourned his loss but also celebrated his legacy. This is the story of Matthew Badger’s cause of death and how he lived his life after the fire that took everything from him.
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The Christmas Day Fire That Killed His Three Daughters
Matthew Badger had three beautiful daughters with his ex-wife, Madonna Badger: Lily, 9, and twins Sarah and Grace, 7. The girls were smart, creative, and artistic. They also had dyslexia, which made learning difficult for them. Matthew and Madonna divorced in 2010, but they remained amicable and shared custody of their children.
On December 25, 2011, the girls were spending Christmas with their mother and maternal grandparents at Madonna’s home in Stamford, Connecticut. The house was undergoing renovations at the time, and Madonna’s then-boyfriend, Michael Borcina, was the contractor. According to People, Borcina had placed some fireplace ashes in a paper bag and left them in a mudroom near the back of the house. He claimed he had checked them for embers before disposing of them.
However, around 3 a.m., the ashes ignited and started a fire that quickly spread throughout the house. Madonna and Borcina managed to escape through a window, but the girls and their grandparents were trapped inside. The firefighters arrived on the scene but could not enter the house due to the intense flames and smoke. They could only watch helplessly as the house collapsed.
Matthew was in New York City with Ballin when he received a phone call from Madonna’s brother, telling him about the fire. He rushed to Stamford, hoping for a miracle, but it was too late. His three daughters and his former in-laws were gone.
The Lawsuits He Filed Against the City and the Contractors
Matthew was devastated by the loss of his daughters. He blamed himself for not being there to protect them. He also blamed Borcina for starting the fire and the city of Stamford for allowing his family to live in an unsafe house.
He filed two lawsuits against them, seeking justice and compensation for his daughters’ deaths. The first lawsuit was against Borcina and his company, Tiberias Construction, as well as other contractors who worked on Madonna’s house. Matthew accused them of negligence, recklessness, and breach of contract. He claimed they had failed to install smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and escape routes in the house. He also alleged they had violated building codes and safety standards.
The second lawsuit was against the city of Stamford and its officials. Matthew alleged they had failed to inspect and approve the renovations on Madonna’s house. He also claimed they had destroyed evidence by demolishing the house one day after the fire without notifying him or allowing him to recover his daughters’ belongings.
Both lawsuits were settled out of court for undisclosed amounts. According to The Hartford Courant, Matthew received $7 million from the contractors in 2016. The settlement with the city was reached in 2017, after Matthew’s death.
The Charity He Founded in Honor of His Daughters
Matthew did not want his daughters’ lives to be forgotten or their deaths to be in vain. He wanted to honor their memory and their passion for art. He also wanted to help other children with dyslexia who struggled with learning.
He founded the LilySarahGrace Fund (LSG), a nonprofit organization that supports teachers in underfunded public elementary schools to reach all learners through the arts. The fund provides grants, resources, training, and advocacy for arts-infused education that engages students’ creativity and curiosity.
Matthew named the fund after his daughters because they loved art and used it as a way to express themselves and overcome their learning challenges. He believed that art could transform education and inspire children to achieve their full potential.
The fund has raised over $4 million since its inception and has impacted over 140,000 students across the country. It has also partnered with celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Whoopi Goldberg, Michelle Williams, Rufus Wainwright, and others who have supported its mission.
The Love He Found with His Girlfriend
Matthew was not alone in his grief. He had the love and support of his girlfriend, Abby Ballin, who was with him when he learned about the fire. Ballin was the creative director and co-founder of LSG, and she shared Matthew’s vision and values.
Ballin was Matthew’s rock and his soulmate. She helped him cope with his loss and find joy in life again. She also encouraged him to seek therapy and heal his wounds.
Ballin told People that Matthew was “the strongest man” she ever knew and “a fighter till the end.” She said he was “free” and “at peace” after his death. She also said he was “with the girls” and that they were “dancing” and “swirling in the love” that everyone sent to them.
The Legacy He Left Behind
Matthew Badger’s cause of death was natural, but his life was extraordinary. He faced unimaginable tragedy, but he did not give up. He fought for justice, he created a legacy, he found love, and he made a difference.
He was a wonderful father, a generous man, and an amazing human being. He touched many lives and inspired many hearts. He is gone, but he is not forgotten. He is with his daughters, and they are with him. They are together, forever.
