The rules state: "If the active player succeeds at a story, and the total skill of his opponent was zero (or less), the story is considered unchallenged, and the active player may place an additional success token on the story card."

Does the term "was" refer to the skill points at the beginning of the story resolution (when the characters are committed to the story and before terror, etc are resolved) or to the skill points for the characters still applied to the story after struggles are resolved (i.e. those NOT driven insane or killed)?

For example, if the challenging/defending player commits a single card with a skill value of 2 and that card is killed or driven insane will the story be considered "unchallenged" and therefore give the active player the additional success token?

Thanks!

It refers to the skill check when the skill check is made, so after all icon struggles have been completed.

Great, thanks!