Additional Coverage:
- Death of paralyzed Columbine survivor is ruled a homicide, raising death toll from 1999 school massacre to 14 (the-independent.com)
Nearly 26 years after the Columbine High School massacre, Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was paralyzed in the attack, has died from complications related to her injuries. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office officially ruled her death a homicide.
Hochhalter, 43, passed away on February 16. While her immediate cause of death was sepsis, a forensic pathologist determined the two gunshot wounds she suffered in 1999 were a significant contributing factor.
Hochhalter’s brother, Nathan, explained a pressure sore, a common complication for those with paralysis, led to the sepsis. He acknowledged his sister’s life expectancy was likely shortened by her paralysis, but her death came sooner than anticipated.
On April 20, 1999, two teenagers opened fire at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher. Hochhalter’s death brings the total number of victims, not including the shooters, to 14.
Despite enduring intense pain and numerous medical challenges, Hochhalter persevered, inspiring those around her with her resilience and positive outlook. Tragically, her mother, Carla, died by suicide six months after the shooting. Hochhalter later found support and a sense of family with the Townsends, who had also lost a daughter, Lauren, in the massacre.
Hochhalter became an advocate for gun violence prevention, attending the 25th anniversary vigil for the Columbine victims last year. She had previously avoided the 20th-anniversary event due to post-traumatic stress.
In a social media post, she shared how the recent vigil evoked happy childhood memories and expressed her desire for the victims to be remembered for how they lived, not how they died. She wrote, “I’ve truly been able to heal my soul since that awful day in 1999.”
In 2016, Hochhalter demonstrated her remarkable capacity for forgiveness by writing a compassionate letter to Sue Klebold, mother of one of the shooters.
Hochhalter’s loved ones remember her for her love of dogs and her dedication to her family. Her passing underscores the enduring impact of gun violence and the long road to healing for survivors and their families.