[ad_1]
Austin Eubanks, a survivor of the Columbine School shootings in Colorado, talks about the addiction resulting from trauma at the 11th Annual Susan Li Conference at Hope Academy Recovery High School in Indianapolis on Thursday 19 July 2018. (Photo: Michelle Pemberton / IndyStar)
According to Routt County coroner Robert Ryg, Austin Eubanks, a survivor of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, was found dead on Saturday morning.
Eubanks, 37, was found at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. According to the coroner, there was no evidence of foul play and an autopsy was scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death.
Eubanks was shot twice – by hand and knee – and saw his best friend, Corey DePooter, die while they took refuge under a table in their school library on April 20, 1999.
DePooter was one of 13 people – 12 students and one teacher – killed in what was the worst shooting school in American history at the time.
Columbine 20 years later: For survivors, life is about finding "this new normal" two decades later
No strings attached: More opiate addicts get drugs without dialogue therapy
While Eubank's physical pain decreased after a few days, he was prescribed medication and he continued to take it. His reluctance to feel his emotional pain led to an opioid addiction that almost killed him.
He battled addiction throughout his twenties and went through several treatment centers.
He then served as Operations Manager for the Foundry Treatment Center and traveled the country to discuss his personal journey and strategies for dealing with the opioid crisis, according to his website.
The Eubanks "lost the battle with the very disease that he fought so hard to help others cope," according to a statement from his family obtained by KMGH-TV.
"Helping to build a supportive community is the most important thing for Austin, and we plan to continue his work," reads the release. "As you can imagine, we are more than shocked and saddened and ask that our privacy be respected at the present time."
"We lost a lot": Columbine, Sandy Hook and Parkland survived suicide and guilt shootings
Dependency at work: 8 signs that your colleagues are struggling with addiction
Contributing: The Associated Press; Megan Henry, the star of Indianapolis
Follow N & # 39; dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg
Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/19/columbine-school-shooting-survivor-austin-eubanks-found-dead/3732079002/
[ad_2]
Source link