Anne Marie Hochhalter who survived Columbine shooting has died at 43
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Anne Marie Hochhalter, a survivor of the Columbine shooting, has died at 43. Known for her strength to forgive, she overcame intense pain and helped others despite her tragic past.
Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was partially paralyzed in the Columbine High School shooting, has passed away at the age of 43. She was found in her home in suburban Denver on Sunday. Her family suspects that natural causes linked to her injuries from the 1999 shooting, which claimed 12 students and one teacher, may have caused her death.
The investigation into her death has been assigned to the office responsible for conducting autopsies for those killed in the Columbine tragedy, according to the coroner's office for Adams and Broomfield counties.
In 2016, Hochhalter penned a letter to one of the gunmen's mothers, expressing that "Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill," and offered her forgiveness. At a vigil last year commemorating the 25th anniversary of the shooting, she reflected on positive memories from her childhood and emphasized that those who lost their lives should be remembered for how they lived, not how they died.
Throughout the last 25 years, Hochhalter faced significant pain due to her gunshot wounds. Despite her struggles, her brother described her as tireless in her efforts to assist others, including individuals with disabilities and rescue dogs. "She was really a good human being and sister," Nathan Hochhalter remarked.
Hochhalter's grief intensified when her mother, Carla Hochhalter, took her own life six months after the shooting. During that difficult time, she found support from another family affected by the tragedy, the Townsends, who had lost their stepdaughter, Lauren Townsend, at Columbine. Sue Townsend helped Hochhalter through her recovery, and their bond grew through shared experiences, ultimately leading them to refer to Hochhalter as their "acquired daughter."
Hochhalter enjoyed moments of happiness, such as floating in a lagoon in Hawaii, which she described as a pain-free experience. She told Sue Townsend, "This relationship would never have happened if it hadn't been for Columbine. So I tried to focus on the gift that Columbine gave us in Anne Marie instead of what it took away."
In 2016, Sue Klebold, the mother of one of the Columbine shooters, released a memoir discussing the roots of her son's violence and the importance of mental health awareness. Hochhalter expressed gratitude for Klebold's donations from her book proceeds to support mental health initiatives, noting her own mother's struggles with depression.
Reflecting on her experiences, Hochhalter stated, "A good friend once told me, 'Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill and expecting the other person to die.' It only harms yourself. I have forgiven you and only wish you the best." She posted this message alongside a photo of a card sent to her by the Klebolds during her hospital recovery.
Hochhalter attended the recent 25th anniversary vigil with her brother, who was trapped in a classroom during the shooting. She had previously skipped the 20th-anniversary event due to post-traumatic stress disorder. In a social media post, she noted, "I've truly been able to heal my soul since that awful day in 1999."