From VICE · Tony Alpsen · · 50s
Beavis and Butt-Head Blamed for Child Death
A 1993 fire killed a girl after her brother imitated Beavis and Butt-Head's fire jokes.
In brief
A 1993 fire killed a girl after her brother imitated Beavis and Butt-Head's fire jokes. Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge denied responsibility for a 1993 fire that killed a 2-year-old girl. Originally reported by VICE.
Child Fire Tragedy
Five-year-old Austin Messner accidentally burned down his mobile home in Moraine, Ohio, killing his two-year-old sister Jessica Matthews.
Mother Blames Show
Austin's mother Darcy Burk blamed Beavis and Butt-Head for inspiring the fire after he imitated the characters' fire jokes.
MTV Response
MTV moved the show to a later time slot and removed fire references from earlier episodes to prevent children from seeing it.
Creator Denies Blame
Mike Judge denied responsibility for the fire, stating the show was not seen in the trailer park where the fire occurred.
“First of all, I don’t agree with any of that [kind of criticism] and I don’t take any responsibility for any of it at all”
The main idea
Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge denied responsibility for a 1993 fire that killed a 2-year-old girl.
