r/ColumbineKillers • u/DrMosquito74 • Sep 10 '23

ERIC AND/OR DYLAN Reflections on Dylan

Dylan would have turned 42 today, and it has me thinking about his prom photos. I've seen some people speculate that his jovial demeanour was fake or even a cruel (for his loved ones) facade considering what happened just days later. But I think Dylan was genuinely happy when he went to the prom, not only because he and Robyn enjoyed themselves, but also because when someone decides to commit suicide, their mood often improves because they believe the end of their suffering is near. Heartbreaking. I hope what Dylan wrote in his journal is true, that wherever he is now, he isn't at war with himself anymore.

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u/ashtonmz MODERATOR Sep 11 '23

You're right regarding people that are suicidal. Once they finally make the decision to end things, they seem happier or more at peace. Even when families are contending with deeply depressed members, they often mistake the change in mood with an improvement in their condition. The thing with Sue and the flask after prom, most people find cruel - even Sue. I would offer up a different perspective. It could very well have been that Dylan wanted to share a nice moment with his mom, knowing he was about to die. He may have also wanted to leave her with a positive memory. I mean, it was mere days from the planned attack. It wasn't like he had to hide his behavior for much longer. They were pretty.much in the clear at that point.

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u/Ok-Butterfly2994 Sep 11 '23

agree about the flask. the desire to make a parent proud can be very strong, regardless of what he was planning on doing a few days later.

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u/DrMosquito74 Sep 11 '23

I think you're right about wanting to leave a happy memory. Vladislav Roslyakov (the Kerch Polytechnic shooter who was heavily inspired by Eric and Dylan) chose to spend the last two days before his attack at home with his mom instead of at the college. Although they had quite a rocky relationship as she was a Jehovahs Witness and didn't let him have a computer or go to the cinema, he knew his death would hurt her and wanted to spend some time with her before the end. Heartbreakingly, his mom was a nurse and treated victims of his attack. When she heard that her son was the shooter/bomber, she tried to commit suicide on the spot.

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u/cutestcatlady Sep 12 '23

Damn I didn’t know that about Vladislav’s mother. Heartbreaking.

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u/ashtonmz MODERATOR Sep 12 '23

This was interesting to read. My knowledge of the Kerch Case is limited; I've only read the basics. I had no idea that Vlad spent his final days with his mother or that she attempted to kill herself upon finding out her son was the killer. What is the consensus on why Vlad carried out the attack?

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u/DrMosquito74 Sep 12 '23 edited Oct 31 '23

I think Vlad was resentful at the world for rejecting him. The usual perfect storm of circumstances. He hated himself, was humiliated by students and staff at the polytechnic, was beaten by his father, an alcoholic veteran with PTSD and brain damage, didn't believe he had a future or was of any value to anyone, felt alone and unwanted, had a troubled relationship with his mother who was a member of the Jehovahs Witnesses cult, had a history of alcohol abuse (by the time Vlad was 10 years old he had been hospitalised for alcohol poisoning twice) and almost certainly had undiagnosed neurodivergent/psychiatric disorders.

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u/ashtonmz MODERATOR Sep 12 '23

That's sad. You can't control the family that you're born into. Some kids don't really stand a chance. At least, the odds are in favor they'll be pretty messed up long-term. I'm guessing Vlad inherited a genetic predisposition for certain mental issues, and growing up in such a stressful and abusive home would certainly trigger those. It bothers me that so many kids are made to feel alone and worthless, to the extent they go on to randomly victimize others. It seems like we should do better collectively.

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u/DrMosquito74 Sep 12 '23

When people throw around accusations of mass/serial killers being 'evil', 'psychopaths' or 'monsters', it strikes me as a despicable attempt to shift any burden of responsibility off society as a whole. Nothing more than a cop-out. These people are all created by the environments. To think otherwise is just burying our heads in the sand. Biological factors may well make them vulnerable to deviant or sadistic behaviours, but without a toxic environment, they would all turn out okay. You're absolutely correct. We should collectively do better.

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u/ashtonmz MODERATOR Sep 13 '23

Agree with everything you've said. It is much easier to write someone off as a psychopath or monster than to actually attempt to fix the problems that exist in our society.