- The death toll from the mass shooting at Columbine High School has risen nearly 26 years after the killings. An autopsy report on Wednesday revealed “the manner of death” for Anne Marie Hochhalter, who died in her apartment in a Denver suburb in February, “is best classified as homicide.”
- The report found that Hochhalter died because of medical complications from sepsis and paralysis due to a pair of gunshot wounds she sustained during the shooting, which were ruled a “significant contributing factor” to her death at the age of 43.
- Hochhalter’s death now increases the death toll in the Columbine killings to 13 students and one teacher.
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The death toll from the mass shooting at Columbine High School has risen nearly 26 years after the massacre.
What did the autopsy report reveal?
An autopsy report, released on Wednesday, March 12, revealed “the manner of death” for Anne Marie Hochhalter, who died in her apartment in a Denver suburb in February, “is best classified as homicide.”
The report found that Hochhalter died because of medical complications from sepsis and paralysis due to a pair of gunshot wounds she sustained during the shooting, which were ruled a “significant contributing factor” to her death at the age of 43.
Including Hochhalter, the death toll of the 1999 attack on the Colorado high school has now risen to 13 students and one teacher, with the attackers also taking their own lives during the shooting.
Who was Anne Marie Hochhalter?
Hochhalter became an advocate for victims of mass shootings after enduring her own trauma, and became close friends with Rick Townsend, who lost his daughter Lauren in the Columbine shooting.
Townsend told CBS News Colorado that Hochhalter “was never bitter, or angry because of her injuries.”
The gunmen shot Hochhalter in the chest and spinal cord, leading to paralysis, which left her in a wheelchair for the remainder of her life.
How are those who knew Hochhalter reacting to her death?
Those close to Hochhalter told The Denver Post that after her death, despite the medical problems brought on by the shooting, she never wanted to be seen as a victim.
Her brother, Nathan Hochhalter, told CNN that, despite enduring intense pain from her injuries over the past quarter century, she worked to help members of her family, people with disabilities and rescue dogs.
He said, “She was helpful to a great many people. She was a good human being and sister.”
