A California school is in shock after the sudden death of a popular student just a month after her dance troupe wowed judges on America’s Got Talent.
Emily Gold, 17, was found dead under a bridge in an apparent suicide on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga just before midnight on Friday.
The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office is treating Emily’s death as a suicide.
She had been part of the Los Osos High School dance team that reached the quarterfinals of the reality TV competition with its high-energy routine.
A GoFundMe campaign has already raised nearly half of its $50,000 target as devastated friends of the dancer have paid tribute on social media.
Emily Gold was found dead on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night, weeks after competing on America’s Got Talent
Devastated friends of the talented dancer have paid tribute on social media.
‘Let it be known that she now rests easy although there were many that loved Emily Gold and even looked up to her,’ Samantha Shaw wrote on Facebook.
‘She will be remembered none the less by her fellow Grizzlies and by those who loved her with all their heart and soul.
‘Emily Gold, thank you for all that you have done in this world. You have done more than enough. Claws up to you Emily. Claws up.’
America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation after the group’s appearance at the auditions in May this year.
‘It was absolutely brilliant,’ he told the panel. ‘What I loved about this was first of all the energy. I think what I just saw is everything a great school should be doing, which is encouraging talent and friendship.
‘It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking “every kid should go to a school like that.”‘
America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation after the group’s appearance at the auditions in May
Emily was a member of both the school’s Varsity Dance Team and its Varsity cheer squad
Emily in her final Instagram post four weeks ago
Several callers alerted California Highway Patrol after seeing Emily on the road just east of Haven Avenue.
A CHP spokesman said that a number of vehicles had struck her body by the time officers arrived, and at least one had failed to stop.
The school broke the news of the senior’s death with a message to students on Saturday.
‘Emily was on both our Varsity Dance Team and Varsity cheer squad, our thoughts and prayer are with the family as they grieve.’
‘Please keep Emily and her loved ones and friends in your thoughts and prayers,’ added Los Osos High School Principal Eric Cypher in a written statement.
Fellow troupe member Mia Bustamante said Emily would be ‘missed beyond words.’
‘You brought me the most beautiful form of love I could ask for. My best friend, my forever dance sister,’ she wrote on Instagram.
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