DENVER – The death of a woman partially paralyzed in the Columbine High School shooting has been ruled as murder, raising the death toll in the 1999 attack to 14.
In an autopsy report obtained Thursday, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Anne Marie Hochalter died of sepsis on February 16th of sepsis, and her response to the infection – complications from her paralysis are “an important contribution factor.” She was 43 years old.
At the time, her family and friends suspected that her death was due to a natural cause related to the shooting injury, which soon led to the death of 12 students and one teacher. The two student gunmen committed suicide. Her paralysis was suspected of being played in her death, so the investigation was moved to the office that reviewed her death in the school shooting.
Hochhalter’s brother, Nathan Hochhalter, said the pain of pressure, a common problem for people living with paralysis, led to sepsis. He knew that his sister’s life would likely be shortened due to her paralysis, but her death this early on was unexpected.
“I didn’t think this was any worse right away,” he said.
Hochhalter suffered severe pain from a gunshot wound for several years after the shooting, but he fought hard to overcome the complications of the injury and remained positive, family and friends said. She was tired of her drive to help others, including disabled people and members of her family, and she loved the dog, they said.
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Hochhalter wrote in a 2016 letter to Soubord, forgiveing the mother of one of the gunmen. It only harms itself. I have forgiven you and I wish you the best. ”
Hochhalter’s own tragedy was exacerbated six months after the shooting, when his mother, Carla Hochhalter, died of suicide. Anne Marie Hochhalter said her mother was suffering from depression and didn’t think the shooting would directly blame her for her death.
After her mother died, she became the “acquired daughter” of another family member who lost her child in the Columbine shooting. Townsend’s stepmother, Sue Townsend, reached out to help Hochhalter as a way to deal with her own grief, but eventually Hochhalter came over for a family dinner and took part in the holidays.
“She has brought a long, bright light into our lives,” Townsend said.
Hochhalter attended the rally to mark the 25th anniversary of last year’s shootings. This was mentioned in a social media post after skipping a similar event five years ago due to post-traumatic stress disorder.
This time, she said she has been filled with happy memories from her childhood and wants someone who remembers how they lived, not how they died.
“Since the terrible day of 1999, I have truly been able to heal my soul,” she writes.
By Colleen Threvin
