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hlthe2b

(101,701 posts)
Sat May 18, 2019, 07:07 PM May 2019

**Breaking** Columbine survivor Austin Eubanks found dead at his home in Steamboat Springs

Eubanks dedicated his life to inspire others to overcome addiction

This is heart-breaking. These mass murder events don't cease killing--even decades later

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/columbine-survivor-austin-eubanks-found-dead-at-his-home-in-steamboat-springs-coroner-confirms




ROUTT COUNTY, Colo. – Austin Eubanks, who survived the Columbine High School massacre and inspired others to overcome addiction later in life, was found dead at his home in Steamboat Springs overnight, the Routt County Coroner confirmed Saturday afternoon. He was 37 years old.

Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg confirmed to Contact7 investigator Jace Larson that Eubanks died either late Friday night or early Saturday morning. There were no signs of foul play, Ryg said.

An autopsy will be performed Monday morning to determine the cause of death.

In a statement, his family said Eubanks "lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face. Helping to build a community of support is what meant the most to Austin, and we plan to continue his work."

Eubanks was 17 years old when two gunmen entered the library at Columbine High School and killed 10 people inside. Eubanks, who was having lunch with friends in the library, was shot in the hand and knee.
Speaking to Denver7 in 2016, Eubanks said that following the shooting, he chose not to reflect on it, or talk about it much. Part of the reason is that for years after the massacre, Eubanks battled a drug addiction. Doctors had prescribed pills for his physical injuries, which he said were not that severe.
Instead, he used the pills to deal with the emotional pain.

"I didn’t know any better. I was 17 years old, and I had been given medication to feel better. Immediately I learned that if I took substances, I didn’t have to feel, I didn’t have to feel the emotional pain," Eubanks said.


--more-- at the link above
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**Breaking** Columbine survivor Austin Eubanks found dead at his home in Steamboat Springs (Original Post) hlthe2b May 2019 OP
Thank you NRA malaise May 2019 #1
This year, the 20 yr anniversary has been especially hard--not only for survivors and 1st responders hlthe2b May 2019 #4
It sure shook all my sensibilities malaise May 2019 #6
Heartbreaking. Downtown Hound May 2019 #2
And gunners go on oiling and fondling their weapons like none of this matters. Hoyt May 2019 #3
The horror show continues. hunter May 2019 #9
More devastating effects of gun violence. CurtEastPoint May 2019 #5
These goddamn mass killings lay directly at Republicans' feet. VOX May 2019 #7
+100000000000 Initech May 2019 #13
Same age as me wellst0nev0ter May 2019 #8
Terrible trauma marieo1 May 2019 #10
So sad. What a loss. nt Honeycombe8 May 2019 #11
Civilian PTSB... Wounded Bear May 2019 #12
Drug addiction is a killer, with no saidsimplesimon May 2019 #14
How very sad. Totally Tunsie May 2019 #15
. AwakeAtLast May 2019 #16
Damn it. area51 May 2019 #17
Aw, no. I don't even know what to say. nolabear May 2019 #18
. backtoblue May 2019 #19
How poignant: Austin Eubank's TED talk... hlthe2b May 2019 #20

hlthe2b

(101,701 posts)
4. This year, the 20 yr anniversary has been especially hard--not only for survivors and 1st responders
Sat May 18, 2019, 07:26 PM
May 2019

but arguably the entire wider community. I remember being immobilized by orthopedic surgery when it happened and captive to 24/7 tv news coverage for days. I'm not even sure 911 had more impact.

I came to know several of the SWAT team officers from later (non-law enforcement) work of my own--many who have gone on to respond to the Aurora theater shooting, some of the other smaller school shootings and even the STEM school shooting a few weeks ago. It is all cumulative for them too.

But, heavens, those survivors or what was hardly the first (and certainly not the last) school shooting, but an indisputable hallmark event nonetheless. The national and international press continues to descend on the community with each anniversary. I've always feared we'd lose more to the continued stress and difficulties in "moving on."

RIP, Austin Eubanks. May you find peace.

malaise

(267,791 posts)
6. It sure shook all my sensibilities
Sat May 18, 2019, 07:30 PM
May 2019

He is finally at peace while Wayne LaPierre is trying on his latest expensive suit.

Downtown Hound

(12,618 posts)
2. Heartbreaking.
Sat May 18, 2019, 07:10 PM
May 2019

We often forget that the official death toll from violence is only the tip of the surface. We lost 4500 soldiers in Iraq. We've lost many more to suicide and addiction since then. 12 people died at Columbine, but those were not the only casualties, and they will not be the last.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
7. These goddamn mass killings lay directly at Republicans' feet.
Sat May 18, 2019, 07:36 PM
May 2019

For every single victim, each case of mass slaughter spreads out to involve hundreds, possibly thousands of people: other survivors, friends, extended families and their friends, colleagues, fellow-students, acquaintances, etc.

Stop this fucking insanity NOW.

marieo1

(1,402 posts)
10. Terrible trauma
Sat May 18, 2019, 09:02 PM
May 2019

How sad!! I agree, thank you NRA!! It was a terrible trauma for a 17 year old kid!! He gave all he had to give!! Now may he rest in peace!!

Wounded Bear

(58,436 posts)
12. Civilian PTSB...
Sat May 18, 2019, 09:42 PM
May 2019

Call it what it is. Just like so many war veterans, surviving an attack like that can scar someone for life. It can contribute to addiction and other poor life choices and is a major contributor to suicides. I'm not saying that is what happened, we won't know until the coroner's report, but it sure sounds possible.

Such unnecessary tragedy, all so gun nuts can sleep with their guns.

saidsimplesimon

(7,888 posts)
14. Drug addiction is a killer, with no
Sat May 18, 2019, 09:46 PM
May 2019

political bias. Dr. Feelgood is the killer. imo

"I didn’t know any better. I was 17 years old, and I had been given medication to feel better. Immediately I learned that if I took substances, I didn’t have to feel, I didn’t have to feel the emotional pain," Eubanks said.

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
15. How very sad.
Sat May 18, 2019, 09:47 PM
May 2019

Columbine just held their graduation ceremonies yesterday. I wonder if that somehow was an impetus for him. (Note that I had originally written "was a trigger for him" but it was too much irony and looked too much like an unintended pun. One has to be so careful these days.)

hlthe2b

(101,701 posts)
20. How poignant: Austin Eubank's TED talk...
Sun May 19, 2019, 11:31 AM
May 2019
Seems he may have helped many people, but unfortunately, ultimately not himself.

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