The woman accused of making threats to “commit an act of violence” in the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound during a manhunt, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
Law enforcement authorities told CBS News and NBC News she was found dead in Clear Creek County, about 64 kilometres west of Columbine High School.
Pais was reportedly obsessed with the deadly school shooting and authorities say she had purchased a shotgun and made threats of violence against the Denver metropolitan area.
On Tuesday night, officials started searching for Pais, asking the public to be on the watch for her.
FBI in Denver alerted the public that the threat to the community “no longer” existed as of lunchtime Wednesday.
Minutes earlier, the FBI confirmed there was “investigative activity” in the Colorado community of Mount Evans related to Pais.
McDonald said threats are not uncommon at Columbine schools — Denver public schools alone have held 22 lockdowns and 294 lockouts over the past two academic years, according to the Denver Post — but he said this threat “felt different.”
But he stressed that the only people welcome at Columbine High School are students.
“We know that Columbine continues to attract people from all around the world,” he said. “We’re not a tourist attraction.”
WATCH: The shadow of Columbine looms pretty large: Colorado schools spokesperson
Schools in the Denver area were on lockdown Wednesday, but officials said regular activities will resume, with added security, starting Thursday.
The Miami Herald reported that Miami Beach law enforcement officials found “deeply disturbed” online postings by the young Florida woman who is allegedly obsessed with the 1999 Columbine school shootings and notified the FBI.
Officials said Thursday Pais’ parents first reported her missing, prompting the investigation.
WATCH: Suspect in Colorado school threats acted alone, had ‘fascination’ with Columbine school shooting
On April 20, 1999, 12 students and one teacher were murdered when a pair of students opened fire at Columbine High School in Colorado, before the pair killed themselves.
*with a file from the Associated Press and Reuters
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