Thomas Klebold is widely known as the father of Dylan Klebold, one of the two students responsible for the Columbine High School shooting. After the tragic events of April 20, 1999, his name appeared in newspapers across the world. However, Thomas himself never became a public figure by choice.
This article explains who Thomas Klebold is, his family life, his work, his relationship with his wife and sons, and what is known about his life today. The focus is on facts, not rumors, and the language is kept clear and simple.
Quick Bio Table of Thomas Klebold
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Klebold |
| Known As | Dylan Klebold’s father |
| Birth Year | Around 1946–1947 |
| Age in 1999 | 52 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Former Spouse | Sue Klebold (Susan Yassenoff) |
| Marriage Duration | About 43 years |
| Divorce Year | 2014 |
| Children | Byron Klebold, Dylan Klebold |
| Occupation | Geophysicist; real estate/mortgage work |
| Known For | Connection to Columbine case |
| Residence (Past) | Littleton, Colorado |
Early life and personal background
Thomas Klebold was born in the mid-1940s. Media reports from 1999 stated that he was 52 years old at the time of the Columbine tragedy. Based on this, his birth year is estimated to be around 1946 or 1947. His exact date of birth has never been publicly shared.
There is very little verified information about his childhood or early education. This is because Thomas lived a private life long before 1999. Unlike celebrities or politicians, he never had a public profile or media presence before the tragedy.
What is clear is that Thomas Klebold lived a stable and professional life. He was described by reporters as quiet, serious, and focused on his family and career. These descriptions come from early interviews with neighbors and coworkers.
Marriage to Sue Klebold (Susan Yassenoff)
Thomas Klebold was married for more than four decades to Sue Klebold, whose birth name is Susan Yassenoff. The couple built a long life together and were married for approximately 43 years.
They lived together in Littleton, where they raised their children and became part of a quiet suburban community. By all public accounts, their marriage appeared stable before 1999.
After the Columbine tragedy, the emotional stress on their relationship was extreme. Sue Klebold later explained that both parents experienced deep grief but processed it in very different ways. This emotional difference slowly created distance between them.
In 2014, Sue Klebold publicly confirmed that she and Thomas divorced. She has stated that the decision was not sudden, but the result of many years of emotional strain following the tragedy.
Children: Byron Klebold and Dylan Klebold
Thomas Klebold is the father of two sons, Byron Klebold and Dylan Klebold. Byron is the older son and was already an adult when the Columbine shooting occurred. He has remained completely private and has never spoken publicly about the event.
Dylan was the younger son and a student at Columbine High School. On April 20, 1999, Dylan and another student carried out the attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 people before they took their own lives.
After this event, Thomas and Sue Klebold became known worldwide. Their lives changed instantly, even though they were not involved in the planning or execution of the crime.
Thomas Klebold’s occupation and professional life
Before 1999, Thomas Klebold had a respected professional career. Media reports described him as a geophysicist, a scientist who studies the Earth’s physical properties. His work focused on oil and gas exploration, a technical and specialized field.
Several reports stated that he worked for Conoco, a major energy company. According to the Washington Post, Conoco transferred Thomas from Oklahoma City to Colorado around 1980. This move placed the Klebold family in the Littleton area.
Later reports also mentioned that Thomas worked from home in a mortgage or real estate business. The exact timeline of this transition is unclear, but it shows he continued working in professional roles.
Life in Littleton, Colorado
Before 1999, Thomas Klebold lived what many would consider a typical middle-class suburban life. Littleton was known as a safe, quiet community with good schools and family neighborhoods.
Neighbors described the Klebold family as polite and reserved. There were no public reports of violence, abuse, or criminal behavior in the household. This detail is important because it shows how unexpected the tragedy was to those around them.
After the shooting, the family home became a focus of intense media attention. Reporters and cameras surrounded the neighborhood, making privacy almost impossible for a long time.
Immediate aftermath of the Columbine tragedy
After the events of 1999, Thomas Klebold made a clear decision to avoid the media. He did not give interviews and did not issue public statements. This silence continued for many years.
The pressure on the family was enormous. They faced anger, grief, blame, and public judgment. For many parents, such attention can be overwhelming. Thomas’s choice to remain silent appears to have been a way to protect himself and his family emotionally.
Unlike some families who speak publicly, Thomas chose a path of privacy. This choice shaped how little information is available about his later life.
Different paths: Thomas and Sue after 1999
While Thomas Klebold stayed private, Sue Klebold later chose a public role. She spoke openly about her experience as a mother and about the warning signs she missed.
Sue wrote a memoir and became involved in mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She explained that her goal was to help other parents recognize signs of distress in their children.
Thomas, on the other hand, did not participate in public discussions. Sue has stated that this difference in coping styles was one of the reasons their marriage eventually ended.
Divorce and later years
The divorce in 2014 marked a major turning point in Thomas Klebold’s life. After this point, there is very little verified public information about him.
There are no confirmed reports about whether he remarried, moved to a new location, or continued working. This absence of information strongly suggests that he has continued to live a private life away from public attention.
Many online articles speculate about his later years, but most do not provide credible sources. Responsible reporting avoids repeating unverified claims.
Is Thomas Klebold still alive?
One of the most common online questions is whether Thomas Klebold is still alive. As of now, there is no widely confirmed public record of his death.
At the same time, there are no recent interviews or public appearances. Because of this, the most accurate statement is that his current status is not clearly confirmed by reliable public sources.
Any article that gives a definite answer without evidence should be treated with caution.
Thomas Klebold’s age and physical details
As reported in 1999, Thomas Klebold was 52 years old at that time. Based on this information, he would now be in his late 70s or early 80s.
There are no verified public records listing his height, weight, or physical appearance. Claims about these details online are usually guesses and should not be considered factual.
Public perception and blame
Over the years, Thomas Klebold has faced public judgment simply because he was Dylan’s father. Some people assume he must have known about the attack or ignored warning signs.
Official investigations did not find evidence that Thomas had prior knowledge of Dylan’s plans. Like many parents, he believed his child was safe and doing well.
This situation highlights how parents can be unfairly blamed for actions they did not control or foresee.
Emotional impact on parents
Although Thomas Klebold never spoke publicly about his emotions, the impact of losing a child under such circumstances is profound. Parents in similar situations often experience guilt, grief, and lifelong trauma.
Sue Klebold has stated that both parents loved their sons deeply. Their grief included sorrow for the victims and confusion over their own child’s actions.
Understanding this emotional complexity helps humanize families affected by tragedy.
Why Thomas Klebold remains relevant
The story of Thomas Klebold matters because it shows the hidden impact of mass violence on families. While public attention focuses on perpetrators and victims, parents often remain silent sufferers.
His life reminds us that tragedy does not happen in isolation. It affects entire families for decades.
Media responsibility and privacy
Thomas Klebold’s story also raises questions about media responsibility. While public information is important, constant exposure can harm those already in pain.
Thomas’s decision to stay silent should be respected. Privacy does not mean avoiding truth, but protecting personal boundaries.
Lessons from the Klebold family experience
The experience of Thomas Klebold and his family teaches several important lessons. Children can hide deep struggles even in caring homes. Parents may not always see warning signs.
These lessons remain relevant for schools, families, and mental health professionals today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thomas Klebold?
Thomas Klebold is the father of Dylan Klebold, who was involved in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.
What was Thomas Klebold’s job?
He worked as a geophysicist in oil and gas exploration and was later linked to mortgage or real estate work.
Was Thomas Klebold married to Sue Klebold?
Yes, he was married to Sue Klebold (Susan Yassenoff) for over 40 years before they divorced in 2014.
Is Thomas Klebold still alive today?
There is no confirmed public record of his death, but his current status is not clearly documented.
Why is there so little public information about him?
Thomas Klebold chose to live a private life and avoided media attention after the 1999 tragedy.
Final thoughts
Thomas Klebold never chose public attention, yet history placed him in it. He was a professional, a husband, and a father whose life changed forever in 1999.
By focusing on facts instead of rumors, we can better understand who he is and why his story still matters today.
