Byron and Kevin

I know that everyone has wondered if Eric's and Dylan's parents have talked to each other, and if so what was said. I would like to know what those conversations were like as well. Yet I can't help but wonder if Kevin and Byron have ever discussed Columbine. I mean they were both in the same boat. Both the older brothers, neither saw anything that would have made them suspect that their baby brothers was capable of murder. Both seemed completely shocked by their brothers actions.

I wonder if they felt betrayed in a sense, wondering why Eric and Dylan didn't confide in them, or ask for help. Especially Kevin since he seemed to have a better relationship with Eric then Byron and Dylan had.

I also wonder if either felt that they were under pressure and had to try to be the best son imaginable to make up for what E&D had done. I think that would fall more heavily on Byron considering Dylan was the golden child, the one that Tom and Sue were so sure was going to be the star.  I just think that Kevin and Byron would have had a lot of the same emotions and feelings after Columbine.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I don't know too much about Byron, but Kevin followed his father's footsteps of joining the military. He married and has several kids. I think he would have followed that path regardless but I do think he pressured himself to be the good son to make up for the loss of Eric.

All I know about Byron is that he is married...and he was on some food network show.

It probably hit both of them pretty hard to lose their brothers. I cannot imagine.

Lizpuff wrote:

I don't know too much about Byron, but Kevin followed his father's footsteps of joining the military.  He married and has several kids.  I think he would have followed that path regardless but I do think he pressured himself to be the good son to make up for the loss of Eric.

All I know about Byron is that he is married...and he was on some food network show.  

It probably hit both of them pretty hard to lose their brothers.  I cannot imagine.

I can imagine that they both felt the need to be the type of son that didn't put any needless stress or hardships on their already devastated parents. That would be a very hard way to live, always wondering and over thinking every move you made and every choice hoping that it wouldn't have a negative impact on their parents who were already pushed beyond the breaking point.

I have also wondered at Tom and Sue's divorce. We know that Columbine played a huge roll in the breakdown of their marriage. Sue say's in her book that they just could never get on the same page together. If she was mad, Tom was sad. When he was angry, she was depressed, etc.

Yet Wayne and Kathy stayed together. I wonder if it was because Eric's mom and dad just excepted what happened, believing that Eric was indeed a psychopath and tried to forget about it and move on. While Sue and Tom disagreed with each other on what made Dylan do it.

I don't know but that has always just interested me.

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

Yet Wayne and Kathy stayed together. I wonder if it was because Eric's mom and dad just excepted what happened, believing that Eric was indeed a psychopath and tried to forget about it and move on. While Sue and Tom disagreed with each other on what made Dylan do it.

I don't know but that has always just interested me.

It's interesting how the Harrises just moved on and continued their normal life. I heard about how Kevin used to have videos about physiotherapy and had to remove them because people were only asking him about Columbine. Both families are different in many aspects.

1Mare1 wrote:

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

Yet Wayne and Kathy stayed together. I wonder if it was because Eric's mom and dad just excepted what happened, believing that Eric was indeed a psychopath and tried to forget about it and move on. While Sue and Tom disagreed with each other on what made Dylan do it.

I don't know but that has always just interested me.

It's interesting how the Harrises just moved on and continued their normal life. I heard about how Kevin used to have videos about physiotherapy and had to remove them because people were only asking him about Columbine. Both families are different in many aspects.

I don't really think Wayne and Kathy did continue their normal lives. I guess outwardly it would appear that they did. I'm sure they just continued on as best they could under the circumstances. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors?

Kevin and Byron are the same age so they were probably in the same grade at CHS, or maybe one grade apart (depending on when they started school)

Byron had been having so many issues then Dylan out of the blue does something like this, it pales in comparison. There probably is a lot of pressure.

Mare, I heard that too. I imagine Kevin can kind of blend in no matter where he is. When you hear the last name Harris, you don't think Columbine, Klebold on the other hand it registers something in your mind even if you haven't read anything about the shootings since the beginning. It's not a common surname.

Which is why I'm curious Lizpuff about the Food Network show, I never heard of that! I googled and can't find it, that's why I'm wondering if he was just Byron, no last name...

It's easy to assume the Harris's just accepted Eric was a psychopath and moved on, but they could just handle things differently. It took a long time for Sue to talk about Dylan.The Harris's may feel even more responsible too since so much of the bomb making etc took place under their roof?


I imagine that would have spoken to each other at some point. I wonder if Byron was hurt when Dylan was railing on him. Maybe he had a different POV about their relationship. I imagine it had to have been impossible for them. Kevin seemed like he had a good head on his shoulder and probably could have given Eric guidance.

What I wouldn't give for a glimpse into how Byron and Kevin handled/reacted to the shooting immediately after and in the years following. I respect their desire to maintain what normal lives they can, but after hearing Sue's account of that day, I always wanted more perspectives from immediate family.

Screamingophelia wrote:

Kevin and Byron are the same age so they were probably in the same grade at CHS, or maybe one grade apart (depending on when they started school)

Byron had been having so many issues then Dylan out of the blue does something like this, it pales in comparison. There probably is a lot of pressure.

Mare, I heard that too. I imagine Kevin can kind of blend in no matter where he is. When you hear the last name Harris, you don't think Columbine, Klebold on the other hand it registers something in your mind even if you haven't read anything about the shootings since the beginning. It's not a common surname.

Which is why I'm curious Lizpuff about the Food Network show, I never heard of that! I googled and can't find it, that's why I'm wondering if he was just Byron, no last name...

It's easy to assume the Harris's just accepted Eric was a psychopath and moved on, but they could just handle things differently. It took a long time for Sue to talk about Dylan.The Harris's may feel even more responsible too since so much of the bomb making etc took place under their roof?


I imagine that would have spoken to each other at some point. I wonder if Byron was hurt when Dylan was railing on him. Maybe he had a different POV about their relationship. I imagine it had to have been impossible for them. Kevin seemed like he had a good head on his shoulder and probably could have given Eric guidance.

The clip used to be here but it was removed. He was never named either by his full or first name. In fact just by looking he looked like any other man. I would have never guessed it was Byron. I believe (I may be wrong) but it was an episode of Diners Drive ins and Dives. He was eating at the restaurant and they interviewed him very quickly about how the food tasted. He just said real quick that it was good and it moved on.

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

1Mare1 wrote:

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

Yet Wayne and Kathy stayed together. I wonder if it was because Eric's mom and dad just excepted what happened, believing that Eric was indeed a psychopath and tried to forget about it and move on. While Sue and Tom disagreed with each other on what made Dylan do it.

I don't know but that has always just interested me.

It's interesting how the Harrises just moved on and continued their normal life. I heard about how Kevin used to have videos about physiotherapy and had to remove them because people were only asking him about Columbine. Both families are different in many aspects.

I don't really think Wayne and Kathy did continue their normal lives. I guess outwardly it would appear that they did. I'm sure they just continued on as best they could under the circumstances. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors?

Yes I agree with this. I don't think their lives were in any way the same and I think both of them were broken just as much as anyone else involved. No matter what Eric did they still loved him. I just think they do not want the world to judge them or condemn them for crying about their son. I am sure the crap Sue got from coming forward does not help that.

Lizpuff wrote:

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

1Mare1 wrote:

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

Yet Wayne and Kathy stayed together. I wonder if it was because Eric's mom and dad just excepted what happened, believing that Eric was indeed a psychopath and tried to forget about it and move on. While Sue and Tom disagreed with each other on what made Dylan do it.

I don't know but that has always just interested me.

It's interesting how the Harrises just moved on and continued their normal life. I heard about how Kevin used to have videos about physiotherapy and had to remove them because people were only asking him about Columbine. Both families are different in many aspects.

I don't really think Wayne and Kathy did continue their normal lives. I guess outwardly it would appear that they did. I'm sure they just continued on as best they could under the circumstances. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors?

Yes I agree with this.  I don't think their lives were in any way the same and I think both of them were broken just as much as anyone else involved.  No matter what Eric did they still loved him.  I just think they do not want the world to judge them or condemn them for crying about their son.  I am sure the crap Sue got from coming forward does not help that.

My thoughts exactly. Try to imagine how hard would it be to mourn someone that the world in general hated? I do think Wayne and Kathy loved Eric, but were at a loss as how to grieve for him considering what he had done. Yet I have little doubt that they did mourn privately. They were a very private family before Columbine, and even more so after.

  

Seeing those pictures of their brothers as grown men makes me really sad, just thinking what E&D could have done with their lives if they had gotten help

Littlelo wrote:

Seeing those pictures of their brothers as grown men makes me really sad, just thinking what E&D could have done with their lives if they had gotten help

I agree.

Kevin and Eric both had similar megawatt smiles. They favored each other, both looked like their father.

Although in my opinion Byron and Dylan didn't look very much alike, other then the shape of their jawline.

Follow up to the question on their brothers: do you think if either of them had an older sister, they would be more likely to speak publicly about everything? I know sometimes it's easier for women to share emotions (e.g. Sue vs. Tom)

Thank you Lizpuff!

Even after the depositions the families of the victims were still not happy with what the Klebolds and Harris's had to say. I'm very interested in reading them once they are released. I think Sue has said she wanted them released as did Dawn, Lauren's mom.

We do know Byron was trying to be strong the first couple of weeks and not show how sad he was, that's from Sue's book. She mentioned he would go outside to cry alone. I'm paraphrasing.

I also recall there was a little snippet from a friend of Kevin's who said she used to go to their house for dinner and he was in disbelief for a long time, but I wish we could know more and hear from them.

Hate towards the Klebolds and Harris's won't help anything, it won't bring the kids back... and honestly by now they should also be allowed to mourn the loss of their sons too. Byron and Kevin should be able to say "I hate what they did, but we really loved our little brothers"


Littlelo- I think it would have been a little easier for a sister to speak up. As far as the Harris's go, Kevin may have had to be the "strong' one so he may have had to save face a little, not express emotion so much so that's another reason he has never come forward. I'm projecting though.

Kevin and Eric share really similar traits.

Byron and Dylan also have the same blue eyes. The wavy hair too, but Byron may look more like his dad... Dylan looked SO much like Sue.

Littlelo wrote:

Follow up to the question on their brothers: do you think if either of them had an older sister, they would be more likely to speak publicly about everything? I know sometimes it's easier for women to share emotions (e.g. Sue vs. Tom)

If Eric had a sister? No. I do not think so. That family is so private

For Dylan? Maybe. Being that Sue has come forward but I do not believe Sue had emotions in mind when she shared. I think at least for her public persona, her sharing was 100% focused on the mental health aspect.

Their friends with the exception of Zach Heckler seemed to be able to talk about them over the years, in a relatively positive way. I don't think Zach has ever talked at all.

Without the brothers or Eric's family speaking out, there will always the perception of Eric Harris, mean psychopath filled with hate lured poor depressed Dylan into his murder plot. Even though we know Dylan was a willing and active participant and some say HIS murder plot, not Eric's.

Littlelo wrote:

Follow up to the question on their brothers: do you think if either of them had an older sister, they would be more likely to speak publicly about everything? I know sometimes it's easier for women to share emotions (e.g. Sue vs. Tom)

Maybe. But given the circumstances I doubt we would have heard much if anything. As Lispuff said the Harris family was just to private.

Also switching out the older brothers with older sisters is an interesting thought. Perhaps Eric would have been able to confide in her about his dating issues, seeking her advise. We know that he talked about not being able to find a prom date with him mom. So he likely would have confided in a sister as well. But who knows.

Dylan I'm not to sure about. As he seemed to get along by not really confiding in anyone besides Eric.

I read this article way back when, where they interviewed the minister who handled the funeral services for Dylan (he was even run out of Littleton for it), and it mentioned that Byron just sat there silently while everyone talked about Dylan, told stories and cried. I'm posting the link to it, but heads up its a long ass article, and its written more like a creepy fictional story than actual events. There are interviews with Brooks, Brian Rohrbough and Mr.D as well. Its more Dylan-centric and is kinda down on Eric, which I don't get. This was one of the main articles I read that got me interested in actually researching Columbine:


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Screamingophelia wrote:

. Without the brothers or Eric's family speaking out, there will always the perception of Eric Harris, mean psychopath filled with hate lured poor depressed Dylan into his murder plot. Even though we know Dylan was a willing and active participant and some say HIS murder plot, not Eric's.

I agree with you. The simple fact that Dylan has had several talk about him over the years, all mostly saying how nice, sweet, funny, etc. he was really makes everyone's perception one sided. Anyone who has never researched Columbine would just assume that evil Eric ruled Dylan's life. Most of us know this isn't true.

This is why I am so interested in the Harris Depositions. I want to hear them talk about Eric, I think the mom in me NEEDS to hear Kathy say how much she loved and misses her son.

Kiwik, thank you for the article!

She talks about Dylan's funeral a little bit. I've heard different articles say that Zach was there and some say Zach's parents were there.

That was something very brave of them, to have a service for Dylan and it was on the news since it was the same day as Rachel's.

Another thorn in my side when it comes to Brooks he blatantly lied about being at the funeral and described what went on... and he wasn't there because in his book he said he was at Rachel's.

Another thought I had about the brothers is that they both have kids and I wonder as they get older if the families are going to talk about Erica and Dylan to them.

As the kids get older I'm sure they are going to learn about Columbine and that will be hard to cover up.

What would you say if you were in that situation and a sibling did this. I think it depends on their age and maturity level too, how much can they handle?

I would probably say "I had a brother and he would have loved you a lot. You guys both LOVED puzzles (or whatever) but his brain was sick and he make a VERY big mistake and hurt people, we still love him and please ask any questions and I will answer them"

If they were 18 it may be a "yep, you're uncle was Eric Harris, that's my brother" maybe they would be true crime buffs and find it cool.

That would likely put both Byron and Kevin in a very strange, probably still painful position. It would rip open old wounds for sure. I wonder how they would try to explain it? But I guess that would mostly depend on the age of the kids. As an older teen would be able to understand more the someone younger.

I will say that when the time comes and my kids ever ask about Columbine, I will have all the bases covered. I will be able to lecture extensively for several days maybe even weeks, and provide numerous Power Point presentations, videos, 11K documents, etc.

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

That would likely put both Byron and Kevin in a very strange, probably still painful position. It would rip open old wounds for sure. I wonder how they would try to explain it?  But I guess that would mostly depend on the age of the kids. As an older teen would be able to understand more the someone younger.  

I will say that when the time comes and my kids ever ask about Columbine, I will have all the bases covered. I will be able to lecture extensively for several days maybe even weeks, and provide numerous Power Point presentations, videos, 11K documents, etc.

If you're kids , when they older , have to do a report on a past event they would have SO much into to write an amazing report on Columbine.

I think it would be easier for the Klebolds to talk about Dylan because of all of Sues activism. I wonder if the kids maybe have his wife's last name? Trying to distance themselves a little?

Oh boy what a sad thing to think about. I do like your explanation [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. I don't think it would be right to sweep it all under the rug and pretend Eric never existed. He was part of their family. I just wonder if Wayne and Kathy as grandparents would be way less likely to share stories about Eric versus Sue to her grandkids about Dylan.

Littlelo wrote:

Oh boy what a sad thing to think about. I do like your explanation [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. I don't think it would be right to sweep it all under the rug and pretend Eric never existed. He was part of their family. I just wonder if Wayne and Kathy as grandparents would be way less likely to share stories about Eric versus Sue to her grandkids about Dylan.

I get the impression Wayne and Kathy would be less likely to share stories about Eric.

Eric and Dylan are both to blame and did something horrible but on that day Dylan just seemed SO much more cruel and yet he seems to be more loved for lack of a better word.

Though who knows, maybe Kevin tells them stories about Eric and tells them what a great brother he was?

I think we will only learn more when the depositions come out but not about the kids of course, but more info from the Harris's

Only about 6 more years!

I don't care where I am or what I am doing, I could be getting married that day, when the depositions come out I am THERE.

"SO it's time to walk down the aisle"

'Nope, depositions... shhh... tell them to wait, I'm the bride, you have to listen to me. We'll have a sunset wedding, there's an open bar, have fun."

Screamingophelia wrote:

I don't care where I am or what I am doing, I could be getting married that day, when the depositions come out I am THERE.

"SO it's time to walk down the aisle"

'Nope, depositions... shhh... tell them to wait, I'm the bride, you have to listen to me. We'll have a sunset wedding, there's an open bar, have fun."

Hahaha I feel like this is so accurate with a lot of us. The only other thing that would make me drop everything would be a book or interview with the Harris's. (I have long since given up on TBT)

Littlelo wrote:

Screamingophelia wrote:

I don't care where I am or what I am doing, I could be getting married that day, when the depositions come out I am THERE.

"SO it's time to walk down the aisle"

'Nope, depositions... shhh... tell them to wait, I'm the bride, you have to listen to me. We'll have a sunset wedding, there's an open bar, have fun."

Hahaha I feel like this is so accurate with a lot of us. The only other thing that would make me drop everything would be a book or interview with the Harris's. (I have long since given up on TBT)

That would be amazing! I'd love for them to be interviewed, not by Diane Sawyer though, she has an attitude when she interviews anyone associated with Eric and Dylan. She refuses to believe they were complex messed up kids whose parents and friends did love them but HATE what they did.

I bet there is some sort of injunction against releasing TBT

In my mind, the only way I could see anyone from the Harris family speaking publicly is to set the record straight before the depositions are released. Who knows if they will want to say something after more years have gone by and they know attention will be drawn back to the whole thing.

The book I'm reading right now, 19 Minutes has made me think of the relationship between Dylan and Byron.

I doubt we will ever know this but I don't think I'm the only one who thinks they didn't have as good of a relationship as Kevin and Eric did.

I wonder if Byron and his friends did give Dylan a hard time? I wonder if when Byron and Dylan were at school together for that one year (Dylan's freshman) if Byron wasn't really there for him. Dylan even has some disdain for him in his "Just a Day" essay about how Byron always tried to impress people and how that was a waste of time.

Maybe that is another reason Byron didn't want to speak about his brother or be involved with what his mom was doing? Maybe he was part of the problem as well?

I'm sure there is some guilt there as well.

Screamingophelia wrote:

I wonder if Byron and his friends did give Dylan a hard time? I wonder if when Byron and Dylan were at school together for that one year (Dylan's freshman) if Byron wasn't really there for him. Dylan even has some disdain for him in his "Just a Day" essay about how Byron always tried to impress people and how that was a waste of time. 

I think Dylan said Byron and his friends picked on him in the Basement Tapes.

Screamingophelia wrote:

The book I'm reading right now, 19 Minutes has made me think of the relationship between Dylan and Byron.

I doubt we will ever know this but I don't think I'm the only one who thinks they didn't have as good of a relationship as Kevin and Eric did.

I wonder if Byron and his friends did give Dylan a hard time? I wonder if when Byron and Dylan were at school together for that one year (Dylan's freshman) if Byron wasn't really there for him. Dylan even has some disdain for him in his "Just a Day" essay about how Byron always tried to impress people and how that was a waste of time.

Maybe that is another reason Byron didn't want to speak about his brother or be involved with what his mom was doing? Maybe he was part of the problem as well?

I can agree with you on that feeling...I think at the very least, Eric respected his brother and looked up to him even if he was jealous of him. I just don't get that feeling about Byron and Dylan.

When Dylan could say that his brother wasn't really in his life and this it wasn't a problem, that is a real eye opener. It does seem that Dylan had some animosity towards Byron.

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

 When Dylan could say that his brother wasn't really in his life and this it wasn't a problem, that is a real eye opener. It does seem that Dylan had some animosity towards Byron.

It's telling too how Sue seems oblivious or defensive of Byron when he's mentioned on the Basement Tapes.

Screamingophelia wrote:

ShadowedGoddess wrote:

 When Dylan could say that his brother wasn't really in his life and this it wasn't a problem, that is a real eye opener. It does seem that Dylan had some animosity towards Byron.

It's telling too how Sue seems oblivious or defensive of Byron when he's mentioned on the Basement Tapes.

She likely thought her kids had a decent relationship.

I wish we knew more about Byron. (And Kevin). It seems like Sue really didn't want to say too much about him I guess he sided more with Tom in the aftermath and wants to be very private

I think the fact Sue wanted to, then actually came forward was likely a hot button issue with Tom and Byron.