Columbine survivor's death ‘best classified as homicide': Coroner report
DENVER (KDVR) — The February death of a woman shot during the 1999 Columbine High School massacre has been classified as a homicide.
Anne Marie Hochhalter, 43, who suffered two gunshot wounds on April 20, 1999, died on Feb. 16 at her home, according to her former principal, Frank DeAngelis.
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office released a copy of her autopsy report on Wednesday.
The report stated that two gunshot wounds Hochhalter suffered, resulting in her use of a wheelchair in the 25 years since, likely turned into further issues and led to her death. The report said that Hochhalter died of 'sepsis due to Streptococcus pyogenes.'
'Complications of paraplegia due to two remote gunshot wounds are a significant contributing factor,' the report stated. 'The manner of death is best classified as homicide.'
Hochhalter's family previously said they suspected she died of natural causes stemming from her injuries from the massacre, where two seniors shot and killed 12 students and one teacher, then killed themselves. Another 21 people were injured by the gunfire.
Hochhalter spoke out in 2016 in support of the mother of one of the shooters who released a book reflecting on the mass shooting, especially concerning her relationship with grief and battles with shame.
Hochhalter wrote at the time in a lengthy Facebook post that she wasn't sure she would ever read the book but said she had forgiven the mass murderer's mother.
In 2012, she also spoke publicly in support of the families and survivors of the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting in Newtown, Conn.
'I really hope the good stories will come out and show a community can come together just like Littleton did after Columbine,' Hochhalter said. 'I feel kind of helpless when I hear about these things and I want to help, I just don't really know how.'
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The Associated Press reported that Hochhalter struggled with intense pain from her wounds. Yet her brother said she was tireless in her drive to help others — from people with disabilities to rescue dogs and members of her family.
'She was helpful to a great many people. She was really a good human being and sister,' Nathan Hochhalter told The Associated Press.
She attended the 25th anniversary vigil last April with her brother, who was trapped in a classroom during the shooting. Anne Marie Hochhalter had not attended the 20th anniversary event because of post-traumatic stress disorder, she said in a social media post last year.
'I've truly been able to heal my soul since that awful day in 1999,' she wrote.
Others killed in the Columbine mass shooting were Rachel Scott, 17; Daniel Rohrbough, 15; William David Sanders, 47; Kyle Velasquez, 16; Steven Crunow, 14; Cassie Bernall, 17; Isaiah Shoels, 18; Matthew Kchter, 16; Lauren Townsend, 18; John Tomlin, 16; Kelly Fleming, 16; Daniel Mauser, 15, and Corey DePooter, 17.
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