Below is the full statement from the Keyes family:
Thousands of pages. Detail some difficult and unwanted; some essential. Amazingly, the essence was captured accurately by the Summary Report in March. There is nothing “new” in the report. Just more.
From a family perspective, it reinforces our conviction: “There is no fault to be found in the command decisions made given the information and behavior presented. There is no fault to be found on the courage and speed of their response. From our family, there is only respect.”
Regarding the CBI Final Report, John-Michael read some before closing it. Ellen turned every page. “I read this for personal reasons; not everyone understands why, but I know and that is what’s important. I had to know how Emily’s day was. I had to see this before it was made public so I can own this privately in my heart. The significant points in the report are between the lines.
“It’s clear now that the perpetrator had some family members who really loved and cared for him. Unfortunately there are many people walking on the edge and, in spite of the best efforts of friends and family, choose to slip off.”
The CBI Report contains hundreds of interviews in which the hostages, students, school staff, emergency responders, family and community members give detail, emotion and speculation. The emotional depth of some of the interviews emphasizes the damage of the unexpected outcome on September 27th.
Losing Emily was crushing to our family and community, but also to the people who work every day to improve and rescue lives. The best people did the best things and a lightening strike still happened.
With love,
Ellen, John-Michael and Casey
