Nearly 26 years after the tragic shooting at Columbine High School, the number of fatalities has increased to 14 with the death of Anne Marie Hochhalter, who suffered serious injuries during the attack and lived with lasting effects until her passing at the age of 43.
Hochhalter was 17 years old when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, armed with rifles and explosives, opened fire on students and teachers on April 20, 1999, in one of the most remembered school massacres in the United States.
Anne Marie Hochhalter died from sepsis
That day, 12 students and a teacher lost their lives in just 49 minutes, before the attackers committed suicide. Anne Marie was shot in the back, leaving her paralyzed for life.
On March 16, 2025, Hochhalter passed away due to sepsis caused by complications arising from his paralysis. According to the forensic report, these complications were a “significant contributing factor in his death,” leading to his death being classified as a homicide.
Her brother, Nathan Hochhalter, told the press that a pressure ulcer led to the infection that ended his life, something the family did not expect to happen so soon.
Despite the challenges she faced, those who knew her remember her for her resilient attitude and will to live. Over the years, Hochhalter became a voice of hope for other victims of gun violence and their families.
After the massacre, she suffered another devastating loss when her mother took her own life. However, she found support in Sue Townsend, mother of Lauren, one of the shooting victims, with whom she developed a strong friendship.
In a gesture of compassion, Hochhalter wrote years later to Sue Klebold, mother of one of the attackers, to express her forgiveness and wish her peace. Her story is a reminder of the deep scars that these acts of violence leave behind and of the power of forgiveness and resilience in the midst of pain.