Matthew Wayne Shepard (1976 - 1998) died at the age of 21 on 1998-10-12. Matthew was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. He was an avid outdoors enthusiast, and excelled academically, graduating high school as valedictorian. He was an active member of various community volunteer organizations, including the American Red Cross and Amnesty International. He was accepted to several top universities, and attended and graduated from the University of Wyoming. He was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his academic achievements, including university president's honor roll scholarships, student leader awards, and the school's highest graduating award. While at the University of Wyoming, he worked as a mentor to the LGBT youth community, a path that continued even after graduation. Matthew's life and legacy were cut short when he was brutally attacked, leaving him both physically and mentally shattered. He died a few days later in a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. Matthew will be remembered as someone who fought for what he believed in. He was an incredible son, brother, friend, and warrior who will be deeply missed.