Brad Bernall Character Analysis in Columbine

Cassie Bernall’s father. In the wake of Cassie’s death, he urges local teens to join youth group and get involved in their church, and struggles with his daughter’s loss much more visibly than his wife, Misty. Both of them are shaken when Emily Wyant, through the Rocky Mountain News, comes forward to refute the myth of Cassie’s martyrdom—the only thing about her death which had brought either of the Bernalls any semblance of comfort.

Brad Bernall Character Timeline in Columbine

The timeline below shows where the character Brad Bernall appears in Columbine. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Brad and Misty Bernall arrive home at about 10 p.m. They can see Columbine from their... (full context)

Brad and Misty Bernall return to the perimeter Wednesday morning, and ask the police whether anyone... (full context)

Media: Misinformation and Sensationalism Theme Icon

...They urge anyone listening to their daughter’s story to go to church—especially young people. Soon, Brad and Misty Bernall are on 20/20 and Oprah. When Oprah asks them whether they wish... (full context)

...become “the first officially designated Protestant martyr since the sixteenth century.” Their daughter’s story brings Brad and Misty Bernall “tremendous relief”—years ago, The Enemy had nearly taken their little girl. (full context)

...with “hard-core sex talk and magic spells” and featured drawings of the Bernalls’ graves. When Brad and Misty confronted Cassie about the letters, she threatened to kill herself, cutting her wrists... (full context)

As Cassie’s story continues to “mushroom” and Brad and Misty are hailed as “blessed parents of the martyr,” another student, Emily Wyant, knows... (full context)

...negotiators around the world, and still hopes to one day interview Eric and Dylan’s parents. Brad and Misty Bernall moved out of Colorado. She Said Yes has sold over a million... (full context)