Over two weeks after the Sandy Hook school massacre, the father of gunman Adam Lanza has claimed his body, according to the Associated Press.
Peter Lanza claimed the remains of Adam Lanza, the spokesman said. He didn't say when they were claimed or what plans the family might have for a funeral service.
The world was devastated on Dec. 14 when hearing that Adam Peter Lanza, 20, fatally shot 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the Sandy Hook village of Newtown, Connecticut. Two were wounded. Before going to the school, Lanza shot and killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, and their home a few miles away. After killing students and staff, Lanza committed suicide as first responders arrived.
A private funeral was held earlier this month in New Hampshire for Nancy Lanza, who was divorced from Peter Lanza, AP reported. Lanza currently lives in Stamford, Conn., and it is a tax director at General Electric.
Other reports suggest that the person who claimed Adam Lanza's body didn't want to be identified.
"The person that claimed the body requested to remain anonymous," said Linda Sylvia, secretary for Connecticut's chief medical examiner, according to CNN. The body was claimed on Thursday, and she declined to release further details.
Authorities questioned both Adam Lanza's father and brother, Ryan Lanza, after the shooting. Few details were released about Lanza, who has no known criminal record.
"A relative told investigators that Lanza had a form of autism, according to a law enforcement official, who spoke under condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. CNN has not been able to confirm independently whether Lanza was diagnosed with autism or Asperger's syndrome, a higher-functioning form of autism," CNN reported.
Of course the public was ready to respond after the news of Adam Lanz'a body being claimed. Comments flooded in the sections under each article.
One commenter said, "Information on who claimed the body needs to remain anonymous. No purpose will be served by revealing it." Another said, "The shooter obviously had severe mental illness. More resources need to be used to find and treat illness before it reaches such a tragic degree."
Here are some other comments that showed sympathy for Adam Lanza's family:
"People often forget the victims of a criminal, be the criminal sane or insane, always include the criminal's own family. Sad stuff."
"This man was once a baby loved and cherished. He was once a toddler that loving arms helped take his first step. He was a little boy, described as shy, quiet, and polite. He was a human being who for some as yet unknown reason became a mass killer. I grieve with those who knew and loved him and probably still do."
"I understand how people can hate Adam Lanza, but I wish people wouldn't extend the hate to his family members, who are also hurting and need some sort of closure too. Claiming his remains and doing what's necessary isn't for Adam Lanza. It's for his family, and they're victims of his actions, too."
"Let it go, he was little more than a child himself. Perhaps, it will be a psychiatrist who specializes in children who will provide the closest thing to an answer. God rest everyone."
What are your thoughts? Sound off below!
