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Cindy Maudsley reveals school backpack frozen in time since Columbine shooting

Cindy Maudsley showcased items including old letters and makeup in her viral video

By GH Web Desk |

April 25, 2026

Cindy Maudsley reveals school backpack frozen in time since Columbine shooting

A survivor of the Columbine High School shooting has garnered over 12 million views on TikTok after filming herself unpacking the backpack she carried on that fateful day.

Cindy Maudsley was a 15-year-old freshman on 20 April 1999 when two students opened fire at the Colorado school, claiming 13 lives. Now 42, Maudsley shared the contents of her bag, which she described as a "time capsule" from a period of profound innocence.

In an interview with PEOPLE on Friday, she explained her decision to revisit the items, noting, "I knew I would want to hold onto it exactly as it was that day."

@littlestickerhoodshop
Edit: Thank you for all the kind comments and well wishes. I'll try to respond to questions. In the meantime, I take back what I said about kids these days not taking handwritten notes at school. I think it goes without saying that first and foremost my heart and thoughts are ALWAYS with those who lost their lives that day, and my intention of this video is not to take away from them at all. Sharing what is in my backpack is meant to give a glimpse into the late 90's while also sharing an important part of history and honoring what my life looked like "before" . Cassie Bernall, 17 Steven Curnow, 14 Corey DePooter, 17 Kelly Fleming, 16 Matthew Kechter, 16 Daniel Mauser, 15 Daniel Rohrbough, 15 William "Dave" Sanders, 47 Rachel Scott, 17 Isaiah Shoels, 18 John Tomlin, 16 Lauren Townsend, 18 Kyle Velasquez, 16 We are.... Columbine
♬ original sound - Cindy | Stickers | Etsy Tips

The video shows Maudsley going through the pockets of her knapsack, revealing everyday items such as Avon lotion, lip gloss, and a Blow Pop.

She also displayed handwritten notes passed between friends and schoolwork where the date was marked "4/20/99" for every class leading up to the fifth period.

"It was such an innocent time," she recalled, mentioning her excitement for her Lunchable before the violence began.

Maudsley had left the bag at her parents' home for years, only opening it for the first time in 2014, and felt the recent 27th anniversary was the right moment to share it.

Now a stay-at-home mother living in Utah, Maudsley reflects on the healing process with a message of hope.

She admitted that for a long time, she felt that finding happiness again was a "betrayal" of those lost.

However, she now encourages other survivors, stating, "being happy and finding forgiveness doesn't mean I'm forgetting or getting over what happened."