Matthew Shepard, Gay Student Killed in 1998, to Be Interred at Washington National Cathedral

Twenty years after he was killed in a brutal hate crime, Matthew Shepard’s ashes will finally be laid to rest. When the 21-year-old was attacked in October 1998, his death sparked national outrage and brought attention to deadly violence against gay people. After protesters brought derogatory signs to his funeral, Shepard’s parents feared their son’s resting place would be vandalized. But two decades later, their son’s ashes will be safely interred at Washington’s National Cathedral on October 26. Shepard’s father, Dennis Shepard, said Thursday: “We are, as a family, happy and relieved that we now have a final home for Matthew, a place that he himself would love.” Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, said Wednesday, “We are doing our part to bring light out of that darkness and healing to those who have been so often hurt, and sometimes hurt in the name of the church.” A public service will be held on October 26 followed by a private ceremony during which his ashes will be interred.