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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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16

Columbine Killer's Mom Had 'No Inkling' About Dylan

Her essay is first detailed comment from a parent of the killers

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(AP) – A rare glimpse into the behavior of a Columbine killer the morning of the attack: "I was getting dressed for work when I heard Dylan bound down the stairs and open the front door," writes his mother in O magazine. "Wondering why he was in such a hurry when he could have slept another 20 minutes, I poked my head out of the bedroom. 'Dyl?' All he said was 'Bye.' The front door slammed, and his car sped down the driveway. His voice had sounded sharp. I figured he was mad because he'd had to get up early to give someone a lift to class."

Susan Klebold's essay, excerpts of which were released in advance, is the first detailed public remarks by a parent of either killer. She says she had "no inkling" of Dylan's disturbed mind and will be "haunted" the rest of her life. "I cannot look at a child in a grocery store or on the street without thinking about how my son's schoolmates spent the last moments of their lives. Dylan changed everything I believed about myself, about God, about family, and about love."

A 1998 yearbook photo from Columbine High School of Dylan Klebold.
A 1998 yearbook photo from Columbine High School of Dylan Klebold.   (Anonymous)
In this April 20, 1999, file photo, Eric Harris, left, and Dylan Klebold in the school cafeteria.
In this April 20, 1999, file photo, Eric Harris, left, and Dylan Klebold in the school cafeteria.   (Anonymous)
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From the writings Dylan left behind, criminal psychologists have concluded that he was depressed and suicidal. (That) broke my heart. I'd had no inkling of the battle Dylan was waging in his mind. - Susan Klebold, Dylan's mother

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16 comments
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BlueAyez
Oct 10, 09 4:46 PM CDT
Sad story all around. Hard to believe they never had a clue, but I'm not in their shoes. Reply
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+13
DarkFrancis
Oct 10, 09 4:58 PM CDT
It seems that there was plenty of evidence left by the boys as to their activities, but in true form of a teenager, they kept it from their parents. In the case of Eric Harris, it seems that there was awareness that he was troubled, but his father refused to accept that Eric was to blame. His 'Eric' diary suggests that he believed Eric's vandalism and moods were a simple case of 'boys will be boys'. I do not blame the parents for what happened that day. Most of the problem seems to come from the bullshit social structure that exists in many schools. I couldn't imagine going to a school where you weren't allowed to talk to certain people because you were considered inferior. Reply
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+9
divetrader
Oct 10, 09 6:15 PM CDT
There always have been and probably always will be toubled kids in school. Kids get in fights. It is probably unavoidable. It would be great if we could prevent them from getting weapons. Reply
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+6
Rocket448
Oct 10, 09 6:30 PM CDT
I remember having moments of killing rage as a teenager. Thank goodness, they wore me out and after a moment I was back on an even keel. Hormones fuel very strong feelings in teenagers, and its sad when a teen can't come to grips with his feelings of rage and resentment. I sure don't blame the parents. Reply
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+5
RobN
Oct 10, 09 9:07 PM CDT
I think any parent that thinks they know what is going on in their teenager's head is fooling themselves. Terrible story for everybody. Reply
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+4
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