Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” tells the chilling and true story of a Jeremy Wade Delle, a highschooler who took his own life in front of his classmates in January 1991. Now, 30 years later, Delle’s mother has spoken publicly for the first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS91knuzoOA

“That day that he died did not define his life,” Wanda Crane told ABC WFAA. “He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson. He was a friend. He was talented.” She reflected on when she heard the news of her son’s death. “I was in my office at work,” she remembers. “I didn’t believe it. I was in shock. Not my son. I was going to pick him up that afternoon at school.”

True to the song’s depiction, Jeremy was a promising young artist. “[His paintings] won first prize at the Texas State Fair,” Crane said. “He won best of shows, and this was all before he was 12 years old.”

Brittany King, a classmate who was in the room when Jeremy took his life commented on the song saying, “I was angry at them for writing that song. I thought, You don’t know. You weren’t there. That story isn’t accurate.”

Crane did not comment on the song, but said that she has used the experience to help others by beginning a support group at her church 12 years ago.

Both women appeared on ABC WFAA. Watch their interviews below.

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