The Continuing Haunting Tale of Rebecca Schaeffer’s Tragic Murder
Rebecca’s parents were actively involved in advocating for stricter gun laws, urging lawmakers to tighten restrictions on firearm access. In 1990, Danna helped start the lobbying group Oregonians Against Gun Violence and traveled to Washington, D.C. to support the passage of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.
“We face death every morning,” Rebecca’s father, Benson Schaeffer, told the Los Angeles Times in October 1991. “Sometimes you’re overcome with despair. You never cease missing the person. The gun issue lets us focus our anger.” (The Brady Bill was eventually enacted in 1993.)
The Schaeffers aimed to implement waiting periods for all gun sales and have guns exclusively sold by licensed dealers.
“There’s so little we can do about Rebecca’s death,” Benson, a child psychologist, said. “We feel good about doing this. It’s the only public way to say that what happened to Rebecca isn’t all right.”
Besides dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, there was also the shock of the situation: a beloved 21-year-old actress murdered by a stalker in her home during daylight. It was both terrifying and incredibly captivating.
An enduring image formed of a victim who was not only destined to be a major star but also a young woman who profoundly impacted everyone who crossed paths with her due to her kind-hearted nature.