Kathy Schroeder was once a member of the Branch Davidians, a religious cult led by David Koresh. The group gained notoriety due to their deadly standoff with federal agents in 1993, known as the Waco Massacre. Lasting 51 days, the siege led to the tragic deaths of 86 individuals, including Koresh and numerous followers. Amidst this chaos, questions arose about the fate of Kathy Schroeder’s son, Bryan, who was only three years old at the time. Here is the story of Bryan’s survival amidst the harrowing ordeal.
A Mother’s Choice
In 1985, at the age of 19, Kathy Schroeder became a member of the Branch Davidians, marrying fellow member Michael Schroeder. Together, they raised four children: Bryan, Karen, Joshua, and Heather. Residing in the Mount Carmel Center compound, they were immersed in the teachings of leader David Koresh, who espoused apocalyptic beliefs and maintained a significant arsenal of weapons. Koresh, self-proclaimed as the Messiah, also practiced polygamy, taking multiple wives from among his followers, including Kathy.
The events escalated on February 28, 1993, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) initiated a raid on the compound, intending to confiscate illegal firearms. The raid erupted into a violent confrontation, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians, including Michael Schroeder, who was fatally shot as he attempted to re-enter the compound. Subsequently, a 51-day siege ensued, during which the FBI sought to negotiate a peaceful surrender with Koresh and his followers.
Amidst the siege, Koresh permitted certain members, including 21 children, to leave the compound. On March 7, 1993, Kathy Schroeder became one of the first adults to exit. She carried a message from inside the compound to her son Bryan, then residing in the Methodist Children’s Home, a foster care facility. According to the Justice Department, she conveyed, “I’d rather be here, but in order to be with Bryan I guess I have to come out.” Upon reuniting with Bryan, she embraced her toddler before being separated from him and subsequently arrested.
A Witness for the Prosecution
Kathy Schroeder, along with 11 other former Branch Davidians who left the compound, faced charges of conspiracy to murder federal agents. This charge carried the possibility of a life sentence. However, Schroeder struck a deal with the prosecution, agreeing to testify against her former leader, David Koresh, in exchange for a lighter sentence. Becoming the key witness in the trial, Schroeder provided crucial testimony that incriminated Koresh and his followers. She disclosed Koresh’s orchestration of the shootout with the ATF, his orders to fire at agents, and allegations of child abuse and molestation within the compound. Additionally, she revealed Koresh’s paternity of 15 children with various women and his instructions for followers to set fire to the compound if the FBI intervened.
Schroeder’s testimony found validation in the events of April 19, 1993, the siege’s final day. Despite the FBI’s tear gas assault in an attempt to compel surrender, a fire erupted within the compound, claiming the lives of 76 individuals, including Koresh and most followers. Only nine individuals managed to escape the blaze. While the FBI asserted the Branch Davidians initiated the fire, survivors maintained the FBI ignited it with tear gas canisters. The fire’s cause remains contentious to this day.
In recognition of her cooperation, Schroeder received a reduced sentence of three years in prison. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter of federal agents. Released in 1996 after serving two and a half years, Schroeder’s ordeal shed light on the complexities and controversies surrounding the Waco tragedy.
A New Life
Following her release, Kathy Schroeder endeavored to reconstruct her life and reconnect with her children. Relocating to South Dakota, where her children resided with their paternal grandparents, she remarried and welcomed a daughter named Rachel. Adopting the name Kathy Connizzo, she pursued a career as a nurse, opting for a quiet life away from the media scrutiny surrounding the Waco Massacre.
Bryan Schroeder, Kathy’s youngest child, spent much of his childhood without his biological parents. He was taken in by Kathy’s sister, Connie Connizzo, and her husband, Bill, who raised him alongside their own children in Zephyrhills, Florida. Bryan attended a Christian school, participated in soccer, and learned about his mother’s past, visiting her in prison. Despite the circumstances, Bryan forgave his mother, expressing love for her. He also harbored no animosity toward Koresh and expressed a desire to learn more about his late father, Michael.
At 33 years old, Bryan resides in Florida, working as a firefighter and paramedic while nurturing his own family, which includes two children, Michael and Kayla. He maintains close ties with his mother, Kathy, and his siblings, Karen, Joshua, and Heather. Bryan has made appearances in documentaries and interviews about the Waco Massacre, offering his unique perspective as a survivor and son. His mission is to honor his father’s memory and that of other victims while advocating for peace and forgiveness.
