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.

“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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