Columbine school shooting survivor and addiction advocate, 37, is found dead at his home 20 years after being shot twice during the massacre and becoming hooked on opioids
Austin Eubanks was 17 years old when two gunmen entered Columbine High School and killed 13 people, including his best friend Corey DePooter
Eubanks was shot twice and pretended to be dead but watched DePooter die
He spiraled into opioid addiction as a means of coping and to block out the pain
Inspirationally, Eubanks became sober and traveled the country helping others
He was found dead at his Steamboat Springs home Saturday, his family said
His death comes a month after the 20th anniversary of the high school shooting
There were no signs of foul play and an autopsy is scheduled Monday
On the eve of the anniversary in April, Eubanks discussed his difficult journey to sobriety and his advocacy work in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com
A Columbine shooting survivor has been found dead at his home, twenty years after he was shot twice and watched his best friend murdered in front of him.
Austin Eubanks, 37, was found at his Steamboat Springs home on Saturday morning. There were no signs of foul play and an autopsy is scheduled Monday to determine the cause of death.
Just a month ago, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the shootings, Eubanks told DailyMail.com how he spiraled into opioid and alcohol abuse as a way to numb the pain.
Eubanks described his difficult and inspirational journey to sobriety and how he became an advocate for fighting addiction, traveling the country telling his story.
Eubanks' family said in a statement that he 'lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face.'
The family added: 'We thank the recovery community for its support. As you can imagine, we are beyond shocked and saddened and request that our privacy is respected at this time
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7045859/Columbine-school-shooting-survivor-addiction-advocate-37-dead.html