On the night of October 6, 1998, gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, finds himself at The Fireside Bar & Lounge. It is a local watering hole for college students and Laramie locals that features a tall neon sign out front shaped like a fluted beer glass. Here he meets Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. The pair, locals who pretend to be gay as well in a scheme to rob Shepard, drive Matthew to the outskirts of town. They tie him to the buck-and-rail fence below and pistol-whip him. Temperatures dip below freezing into the night as Shepard lies alone in a coma, tears streaking his blood-stained face. A passerby finds him the next morning. In the following days, candlelight vigils are held in hopes of his recovery. Still, Shepard died six days later at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado from severe head injuries.

Shepard’s funeral is in Casper, Wyoming on October 16, 1998. Cold rain turns to heavy wet snow as an overflow of mourners listens to a broadcast in a park across from the church. Members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church are on hand to protest the funeral. Hate-filled words are shouted across a no man’s land bordered by snow fences and yellow-clad police officers. Anti-protestors scream back in return.

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On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through undeveloped countryside one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyoming, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
01 – On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through the undeveloped land one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyoming, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol-whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through undeveloped countryside one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyoming, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
02 – On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through the undeveloped land one-mile northeast of Laramie, Wyoming, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol-whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
The Fireside Bar and Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998 by his assaillants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
03 – The Fireside Bar and Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998, by his assailants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Inside the Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998 by his assaillants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
04 – Inside the Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998, by his assailants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A couple participates in a 1000-person vigil at St. Paul's Newman Center across from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, Sunday, October 11, 1998 to support openly gay UW student Matthew Shepard. Shepard was beaten, burned, tied to a fence, and left for dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 7, 1998. Hours after the vigil, Shepard, 21, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
05 – A couple participates in a 1000-person vigil at St. Paul’s Newman Center across from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday, October 11, 1998, to support openly gay UW student Matthew Shepard. Shepard was beaten, burned, tied to a fence, and left for dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 7, 1998. Hours after the vigil, Shepard, 21, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A woman participates in a 1000-person vigil at St. Paul's Newman Center across from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, Sunday, October 11, 1998 to support openly gay UW student Matthew Shepard. Shepard was beaten, burned, tied to a fence, and left for dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 7, 1998. Hours after the vigil, Shepard, 21, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
06 – A woman participates in a 1000-person vigil at St. Paul’s Newman Center across from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday, October 11, 1998, to support openly gay UW student Matthew Shepard. Shepard was beaten, burned, tied to a fence, and left for dead in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 7, 1998. Hours after the vigil, Shepard, 21, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through undeveloped countryside one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyo. to the edge of town, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
07 – On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through the undeveloped countryside one-mile northeast of Laramie, Wyoming, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol-whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through undeveloped countryside one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyo. to the edge of town, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
08 – On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through the undeveloped countryside one-mile northeast of Laramie, Wyo. to the edge of town, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol-whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
The Fireside Bar and Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998 by his assaillants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
09 – The Fireside Bar and Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was picked up on October 6, 1998, by his assailants Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through undeveloped countryside one mile northeast of Laramie, Wyo. to the edge of town, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
10 – On October 6, 1998, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney drove University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, 21, through the undeveloped countryside one-mile northeast of Laramie, Wyo. to the edge of town, tied him to this buck and rail fence, and pistol-whipped him, leaving him for dead. Shepard’s battered and beaten body was found 18 hours later by two passing bicyclists. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
University of Wyoming student Clint Schroeder, left, and Graham Baxendale, visiting lecturer on hate crimes from Reading, England, find an opportunity during a lunch break to pause where Matthew Shepard was tied to a buck-and-rail fence a mile northeast of Laramie. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
11 – University of Wyoming student Clint Schroeder, left, and Graham Baxendale, visiting lecturer on hate crimes from Reading, England, find an opportunity during a lunch break to pause where Matthew Shepard was tied to a buck-and-rail fence a mile northeast of Laramie. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Graham Baxendale, a visiting lecturer at the University of Wyoming on hate crimes from Reading, England, finds an opportunity during lunch to pause where Matthew Shepard was tied to a buck-and-rail fence a mile northeast of Laramie. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
12 – Graham Baxendale, a visiting lecturer at the University of Wyoming on hate crimes from Reading, England, finds an opportunity during lunch to pause where Matthew Shepard was tied to a buck-and-rail fence a mile northeast of Laramie. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Laramie Police Department Sgt. Rob DeBree takes questions during a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse in Laramie, Wyoming on Tusday, October 13, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
13 – Laramie Police Department Sgt. Rob DeBree takes questions during a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse in Laramie, Wyoming on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Cathy Connolly, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Wyoming, holds a photograph of Matthew Shepard as she attends a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
14 – Cathy Connolly, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Wyoming, holds a photograph of Matthew Shepard as she attends a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Mark Walker of Cheyenne attends a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse in Laramie, Wyoming on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. 'I didn’t know Matt, but as a concerned citizen, I don’t think that this should happen anymore,' Walker said. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
15 – Mark Walker of Cheyenne attends a press conference outside the Albany County Courthouse in Laramie, Wyoming on Tuesday, October 13, 1998. ‘I didn’t know Matt, but as a concerned citizen, I don’t think that this should happen anymore,’ Walker said. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A banner with the words, 'Hate is not a Wyoming Value,' hangs in downtown Laramie, Wyoming. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
16 – A banner with the words, ‘Hate is not a Wyoming Value,’ hangs in downtown Laramie, Wyoming. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A banner with the words, 'Hate is not a Wyoming Value,' hangs above the main street in downtown Laramie, Wyoming. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
17 – A banner with the words, ‘Hate is not a Wyoming Value,’ hangs above the main street in downtown Laramie, Wyoming. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard's funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
18 – Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard’s funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard's funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
19 – Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard’s funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard's funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
20 – Judy Shepard, left, cries as her husband, Dennis Shepard, reads a statement to the media prior to their son Matthew Shepard’s funeral in Casper, on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998 prior to Matthew Shepard's funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
21 – St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998, prior to Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Rachel Anderson of Casper, Wyoming cries after Pastor W.T. Otwell of God Said Ministries of Mt. Enterprise, Texas answers her question of why he came out to preach his anti-gay message on the day of Matthew Shepard’s funeral. ‘He is dead, this is not their place,’ said Anderson of the protester's presence. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
22 – Rachel Anderson of Casper, Wyoming cries after Pastor W.T. Otwell of God Said Ministries of Mt. Enterprise, Texas answers her question of why he came out to preach his anti-gay message on the day of Matthew Shepard’s funeral. ‘He is dead, this is not their place,’ said Anderson of the protester’s presence. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Members of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, protest during Matthew Shepard's funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
23 – Members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, protest during Matthew Shepard’s funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Karl Hockenbarger of Topeka, Kansas, and member of the Westboro Baptist Church, paces back and forth with anti-gay signs inside a quartered-off area outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. Friday, October 16, 1998 prior to Matthew Shepard's funeral. Hockenbarger has since been excluded from the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
24 – Karl Hockenbarger of Topeka, Kansas, and member of the Westboro Baptist Church, paces back and forth with anti-gay signs inside a quartered-off area outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. Friday, October 16, 1998, prior to Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Hockenbarger has since been excluded from the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Police stand in a no man's land between friends and supporters of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard and members of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, during Shepard's funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
25 – Police stand in a no man’s land between friends and supporters of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard and members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, during Shepard’s funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Friends of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Sheppard shout at protestors from Westboro Baptist Church prior the start of Shepard's funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
26 – Friends of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Sheppard shout at protestors from Westboro Baptist Church prior to the start of Shepard’s funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Police stand in a no man's land between friends and supporters of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard and members of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, during Shepard's funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
27 – Police stand in a no man’s land between friends and supporters of slain gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard and members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, during Shepard’s funeral in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A young member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is confined to a corral outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998 prior to Matthew Shepard's funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
28 – A young member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is confined to a corral outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998, prior to Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A young member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is of approximately 15 protesters confined to a corral outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998 prior to Matthew Shepard's funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
29 – A young member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is of approximately 15 protesters confined to a corral outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998, prior to Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas protests outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998 prior to Matthew Shepard's funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
30 – A member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas protests outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyo. on Friday, October 16, 1998, prior to Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Matthew Shepard's friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998 to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
31 – Matthew Shepard’s friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998, to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Matthew Shepard's friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming Friday, October 16, 1998 to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
32 – Matthew Shepard’s friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming Friday, October 16, 1998, to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Matthew Shepard's friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming Friday, October 16, 1998 to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
33 – Matthew Shepard’s friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming Friday, October 16, 1998, to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Matthew Shepard's friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998 to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
34 – Matthew Shepard’s friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998, to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Matthew Shepard's friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998 to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
35 – Matthew Shepard’s friends and mourners brave heavy snow and snapping tree limbs to gather outside St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming on Friday, October 16, 1998, to listen to a radio broadcast of the funeral services inside. Shepard had been baptized at the church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

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Here are some things to consider: There are no model releases for these images. Therefore, pictures with people are for editorial use only. A theatrical production is not considered editorial use. The split-rail fence where Shepard was found is gone. Click here to see its former location, via a Google satellite map. Also, the Fireside Bar & Lounge looks nothing like it did back then.

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