In “Voices From Newtown,” a special episode of her syndicated talk show, Katie, Katie Couric will return to Newtown, Conn., nearly three months following the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, to remember those who were lost and to host a conversation about the hope that those events can inspire change. Katie Couric was one of the first journalists to interview the families in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, and in this episode of Katie, airing March 4, she will share how Newtown continues to deal with its grief and continues to offer a commitment to ensuring that its loved ones will not have died in vain.
This episode of Katie will be broadcast from the Town Hall in Newtown, with Katie Couric exploring the healing process for families and friends of the 26 people who were lost on Dec. 14, 2012. The episode will also look at how our country can have a reasonable debate about protecting children as well as people’s rights, along with the debate over mental health reform. The show will also highlight the efforts of The Sandy Hook Promise, a grassroots organization created to support the families of the victims and the survivors, which is encouraging dialogue about common-sense solutions to the issues raised by the tragedy.
Katie Couric will also speak with Colin Goddard, who was shot four times during the shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007 and who made a documentary called Living for 32 about gun shows, as well as with Sandy Phillips, who lost her 24-year-old daughter, Jessica, in the Aurora movie theater shooting on July 20, 2012.
Newtown families who lost loved ones, who will talk with Katie Couric on this episode of Katie, include:
- Nicole Hockley, whose 6-year-old son Dylan was killed. (Nicole is pictured center above, with Katie Couric and Bill Sherlach)
- Bill Sherlach, whose wife of 31 years, Mary, was Sandy Hook’s school psychologist and also died in the shootings.
- Mark and Jackie Barden, whose 7-year-old son Daniel was killed.
- David and Francine Wheeler, who lost their 6-year-old son Benjamin.
- Jeremy and Jennifer Richman, whose 6-year-old daughter Avielle was killed.
- Rebecca and Steve Kowalski, who lost their 7-year-old son Chase.
- Gilles and Joyce Rousseau, who lost their 30-year-old daughter Lauren Rousseau, a teacher at Sandy Hook.
- Jimmy Green and Nelba Márquez-Greene, who lost their daughter Ana.
Other guests joining Katie Couric from Newtown include:
- Lee Shull, one of the founders of The Sandy Hook Promise, which focuses on creating a dialogue and educating people about gun responsibility and mental health.
- UCLA Professor of Law Adam Winkler and Columbia University professor Dr. Paul Appelbaum, for a conversation about guns and mental health.
- Wendy Davenson, a therapist in Newtown who has been working with families coping with grief and trauma.
- Monsignor Robert Weiss, who has ministered to the victims’ families since the shooting.
Voices From Newtown, a special episode of Katie, airs March 4. Katie airs in syndication; check your local listings for channel and airtime in your area.
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Photo of Katie Couric, Nicole Hockley and Bill Sherlach: Credit Ida Mae Astute/Disney-ABC