The Columbine Valentine’s Day Murders
Columbine High School put itself on the unfortunate true crime map in 1999 when two of its students went on a deadly rampage through the hallways, killing twelve classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives.
Less than a year later, two more students were dead only blocks from the school.
Stephanie Hart-Grizzell, 16, and Nicholas Kunselman, 15, were the stereotypical high school sweethearts. Both Columbine High sophomores, the couple had been dating for two years. Stephanie loved poetry. Nick was a champion junior disc golf player. Both adored the arts and music and were inseparable.
In January of 2000, Nick started a part-time job at the local Subway sandwich shop, only blocks from Columbine. Despite his youth and new-hire status, by February the manager was allowing Nick to close up shop.
He was working the closing shift on Sunday, February 13, 2000. Stephanie, in her pajamas, had told her mother Kelly she would finish up homework before going to sleep. It was the last time Kelly would see her only child alive. Stephanie snuck out of the home to meet Nick at Subway and keep him company. It was something Kelly Grizzell said Stephanie had never done before.
It was after midnight when a co-worker drove by the sandwich shop, noticed the lights on and became concerned as to why the shop lights were still on.