Mother Of Jeremy Wade Delle Who Inspired Pearl Jam's Song "Jeremy" Breaks Her Silence

“He was a son, a brother"


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The mother of American schoolboy Jeremy Wade Delle who committed suicide in class nearly 30 years ago, inspiring Pearl Jam’s haunting 1991 song “Jeremy”, has spoken out for the first time.

Jeremy’s mother Wanda Crane, and his former schoolmate Brittany King, opened up about the horrific incident with Dallas TV station ABC WFAA.

“That day that he died did not define his life,” Crane said. 

“He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson. He was a friend. He was talented.”

Crane recalled the gut-wrenching moment when she first learned of the terrible news of her 15-year-old son’s death. 

“I was in my office at work,” she said. “I didn’t believe it. I was in shock. Not my son. I was going to pick him up that afternoon at school.”

King recalls the shock and fear she felt being in the classroom when Jeremy shot himself in front of classmates. 

“All the students kinda ran into the back of the room and huddled,” she said.

“This was a big wakeup call. Like, you know what? Life is not all hunky-dory all the time. Real things, tragedies happen. It made me grow up pretty quick, literally overnight.”

If you or someone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

9 November 2018




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