Judge Shares Heartbreaking Story of How She Accidentally Caused Her Son’s Death

In an emotional and powerful interview, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas recounted the unimaginable pain of losing her son, Daniel Anderl, in a brutal attack meant for her. During a segment on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House, Judge Salas opened up about the events of July 2020 when her 20-year-old son was shot dead by a gunman posing as a FedEx delivery driver at their family home in New Jersey.

The tragic loss of Daniel was a direct result of a targeted attack against the judge, one that would change her life forever.

The gunman, Roy Den Hollander, an anti-feminist lawyer with a deep personal vendetta against Judge Salas, opened fire when Daniel answered the door. Hollander shot Daniel in the chest, and despite efforts to save him, Daniel succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward. His father, Mark Anderl, was critically wounded but survived the attack.

Authorities later confirmed that the assault had been aimed at the judge, and Hollander had previously written disparaging comments about her in his autobiography. This chilling act of violence underscored the growing dangers faced by public figures, particularly judges, whose lives are increasingly threatened by rising political extremism.

Salas, visibly emotional during the interview, shared her heart-wrenching grief. "I lost the most important thing in my life," she said, choking back tears. "And once that genie is out of the bottle, there's no putting it back." The deep sense of loss was evident as she spoke about the consequences of the attack and how it had irrevocably altered her life.

In the years following the tragedy, she has dedicated herself to improving the safety of federal judges, advocating for measures that could prevent such horrific acts in the future. One of her major achievements has been helping to pass legislation that makes it a crime to publish personal information about federal judges and their families online.

The attack on her family, however, wasn't just a personal tragedy—it was a stark reminder of the consequences of toxic rhetoric in the public sphere. Judge Salas spoke passionately about the importance of responsible language, particularly from those in positions of power.

"Words matter," she said, urging Americans to understand the unintended consequences that can arise from inflammatory speech. She stressed that rhetoric, when left unchecked, could escalate into violence. Her son's death was the tragic culmination of such dangerous discourse, and she emphasized the need for everyone to consider the weight of their words before they are spoken or shared.

Throughout the interview, Salas expressed deep concern for her fellow judges and public figures who are increasingly subjected to threats and harassment. "We are seeing things that we have never seen before," she remarked, comparing the current climate of hostility to a "bonfire that's been burning for years."

She warned that rather than mitigating the situation, society is fueling the flames of division. "It's not slowing down, and instead of us trying to squelch it, we're adding fuel and we're adding lumber, and this thing is getting bigger and bigger," she said. The rise in violent threats against judges, politicians, and public servants is becoming an alarming trend that shows no sign of abating.

Salas’s personal story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of leading with empathy and responsibility. She spoke of the profound influence that leaders—particularly those with large platforms—have over the public, and how their words can have lasting consequences.

“We forget how much influence our leaders have,” she said. "People in positions of power that have big platforms need to realize the responsibility they carry. It’s not just about being heard; it’s about considering the impact of what you say."

As the conversation unfolded, Salas became visibly emotional again, speaking directly to the American public. "God forbid someone is killed, there's no turning back for that family," she cautioned. Her plea was simple yet poignant: for the sake of future generations, society must work to de-escalate the dangerous rhetoric that has come to dominate the political and social landscape.

Reflecting on her own personal sacrifice, Salas stated, "I have to live with the fact that my job cost me the life of my only child." This gut-wrenching statement encapsulated the depth of her grief, as she demanded that America’s leaders do more to lead by example and to take responsibility for the language they use and the consequences it may have.

Salas’s story, though tragic, has ignited a national conversation about the dangers of escalating political rhetoric and the safety of public figures. Her courage in speaking out about her pain is helping to shine a light on the critical need for change in the way society handles public discourse.

Her message is clear: the price of unchecked hostility can be far too high, and it is time to take responsibility for the impact of our words before more innocent lives are lost.