Last updated: November 21, 2010

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Twins Kristin and Candice Hermeler contacted Columbine massacre survivor

It's been revealed that the Melbourne twin killed in a suicide pact with her sister, sent a letter to Columbine after the high school massacre 11 years ago.

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THE Victorians twins who entered into a suicide pact at a Colorado gun range sent letters and repeatedly telephoned a Columbine High School massacre survivor and his parents, with one twin revealing in a note how she had been "rejected, victimised and ostracised" by bullies.

The Australian twins who entered into a suicide pact at a Colorado gun range sent letters and repeatedly telephoned a Columbine High School massacre survivor and his parents, with one twin revealing in a note how she had been "rejected, victimised and ostracised" by bullies, the Herald Sun reports.

Melbourne's Kristin and Candice Hermeler appear to have been rocked by the 1999 Columbine tragedy, where two teens bullied by classmates responded by killing 13 people, before turning the guns on themselves.

The 29-year-old twins felt a particular bond with survivor Brooks Brown, who was a guest on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show that aired in Australia weeks after the Columbine shootings.

"I just wanted to write to you and let you know that not a day goes by that I do not think about what happened," Kristin wrote in the letter sent to Brown on July 14, 1999.

"I cannot imagine how hard it must be for you dealing with everything. Words could never tell you how sorry I am."

Both women sustained bullet wounds to the head. Kristin died and Candice survived.

Sheriffs investigating the twins' suicide pact also discovered in their luggage a photocopy of a Time magazine cover dedicated to the Columbine tragedy.

Despite the Columbine links, Arapahoe County Sheriff Captain Louie Perea said there was no evidence the twins planned to hurt anyone in Colorado other than themselves.

Brooks' parents, who still live in Colorado, dug up the old letters after watching news reports about the Hermelers' suicide pact.

The Browns had no contact with the twins during their fateful visit to the Denver area.

Brooks' mother, Judy, remembered the long phone calls with the twins in 1999 and listening to the problems they faced from bullies.

"It never goes away," Ms Brown told the Denver Post.

"Bullying changes who you are and who you become."

The Family Shooting Center, where the twins hired guns, ammunition and, after firing at targets for more than hour, put the weapons to their heads, is just 32km from Columbine High School.

In the letters, Kristin shows concern for Columbine killers, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, and the bullying both faced before they went on the deadly rampage.

Kristin praised Brooks Brown for forgiving and becoming friends with Harris after they were enemies at school.

On the day of the Columbine massacre, Harris warned Brown to leave the school grounds.

"As someone who has been rejected, victimised and ostracised in their life, I would like to thank you for giving him (Eric) that chance," Kristin wrote to Brown.

"Thank you for not judging and accepting Eric and Dylan who were, from what I have heard, rejected and victimised by so many others. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Kristin."

The twins' parents, Ernest and Kelsay Hermeler, flew in from Melbourne on Friday to be with Candice as she recovers in a Colorado hospital.

Capt Perea said the parents gave investigators "some information", but he declined to say what.

"We believe no crime has occurred," Capt Perea said. "That's the direction we are going."

Read more at the Herald Sun.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

 

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