Shasta Groene breaks her silence: 'I think about it every day'
POST FALLS, Idaho (KBOI) - The little girl who survived a North Idaho massacre by child killer Joseph Duncan says there's not a day that goes by that she doesn't think of the tragedy that killed three members of her family.
"A lot of people, when they hear my name, they kinda get shocked that I've grown up so much," Shasta Groene told CBS affiliate KREM TV in Spokane."But I use my name and what I've been through to help people."
Duncan snatched 9-year-old Dylan Groene and Shasta from their home after killing their older brother, mother and mother's fiance. Duncan traveled to a remote Montana campsite for several weeks before killing Dylan and returning with Dylan's sister to Coeur d'Alene.
Shasta Groene has grown up. She's now 15 -- and well beyond her years. But she hasn't forgotten what happened to her seven years ago.
"I mean it's something that is in the back of my mind every day. I've thought about it every day, but it's something that helps me stay strong every day ...because not a lot of people have survived what I have been through." (Watch video of the Report >>>)
Shasta had primarily stayed out of the limelight until recently. It's been years since she's spoken about the incident.
Her father says she's a typical teen girl.
"She's probably like every other 15-year-old girl, so that kinda keeps me on my toes, but she just does all the normal stuff that any other 15-year-old would be doing."
Shasta was recently at a motorcycle ride to benefit a local animal shelter.
"I just try to help out as much as i can. I mean, whenever someone asks me to I will."
While she hasn't forgotten what happened to her, she doesn't want it to be the story that defines her. "I'm not a scared little girl that I was back when I was 8. I have grown up a lot and I'm really strong today."
Shasta is a junior in high school and says someday she might want to be a forensic scientist, a beautician, or possibly a therapist. Whatever career she chooses, she wants to help people.
"A lot of people, when they hear my name, they kinda get shocked that I've grown up so much," Shasta Groene told CBS affiliate KREM TV in Spokane."But I use my name and what I've been through to help people."
Duncan snatched 9-year-old Dylan Groene and Shasta from their home after killing their older brother, mother and mother's fiance. Duncan traveled to a remote Montana campsite for several weeks before killing Dylan and returning with Dylan's sister to Coeur d'Alene.
Shasta Groene has grown up. She's now 15 -- and well beyond her years. But she hasn't forgotten what happened to her seven years ago.
"I mean it's something that is in the back of my mind every day. I've thought about it every day, but it's something that helps me stay strong every day ...because not a lot of people have survived what I have been through." (Watch video of the Report >>>)
Shasta had primarily stayed out of the limelight until recently. It's been years since she's spoken about the incident.
Her father says she's a typical teen girl.
"She's probably like every other 15-year-old girl, so that kinda keeps me on my toes, but she just does all the normal stuff that any other 15-year-old would be doing."
Shasta was recently at a motorcycle ride to benefit a local animal shelter.
"I just try to help out as much as i can. I mean, whenever someone asks me to I will."
While she hasn't forgotten what happened to her, she doesn't want it to be the story that defines her. "I'm not a scared little girl that I was back when I was 8. I have grown up a lot and I'm really strong today."
Shasta is a junior in high school and says someday she might want to be a forensic scientist, a beautician, or possibly a therapist. Whatever career she chooses, she wants to help people.
how i wish someone would have been able to know what this monster was capable of before any of this happend and just end him then. iam so happy for you Shasta for not letting that destroy who you are. im from idaho and when i heard of your story i was in shock and just wish i could have done something to protect you and your family. best wishes and stay strong, hopefully Duncan will be in hell where he belongs soon!
shasta is a very beautiful healthy person i am thrilled to see that she is doing ok steve looks great too good for the both of you   the monster is in prison where he belongs
Shasta, I am very glad to hear you are using the strength you have had to summon to define yourself as someone other than a victim of such an act of evil. As someone who has been through very similar experiences, I think it's important to show others how to move on, but it's just as important to make sure you don't give too much of yourself away. I happen to know an investigator in Montana who worked your case and he spoke so very highly of you.  Continue to grow within yourself. :)
I am so proud of this girl! My daughter is her same age, and from the moment Shasta's story hit the news, my little girl and I have been praying for her together and apart, hoping for the very best for Shasta, and wanting- no matter how impossible it may've seemed- for the horrors she's faced NOT to define her. Not to overwhelm or crush her. And look at her today! She's amazing. Thank you, Shasta, for being an inspiration to so many. And there are two women here in L.A. who will pray for you always.
Ever since seeing the surveillance camera video of little Shasta looking up at people in the convenience store I have become much more aware of little kids - checking for anything not quite right. Â I'm so happy she survived and is thriving.