A high school cheerleader was found dead just weeks after she appeared on America's Got Talent.
Emily Gold, 17, committed suicide by jumping from an overpass in her home state of California. The teen was a senior and varsity dance captain at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga.
California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said Gold had been struck by at least one vehicle after jumping from an overpass onto the freeway below.
Police received a call about "a pedestrian down in lanes on eastbound SR-210, east of Haven Avenue.”
"When the officers arrived, they located a female, 17 year old, who was struck by at least one other vehicle in the carpool lane on eastbound 210," Jimenez said. "The female did succumb to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene."
The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office ruled the death a suicide. There was no suicide note found.
Gold appeared with her cheerleading team on NBC's America's Got Talent, impressing judge Simon Cowell before their elimination in the quarterfinals last month. Cowell called their performance "absolutely brilliant."
"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," he said.
Gold's bereaved family shared a heartbreaking message over Instagram on her death.
“Dear friends. With sadness beyond measure we must tell you all that we lost our beautiful Emily on September 13th,” her parents Steven and Brandy Gold wrote on Instagram.
“Our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now,” they continued. “The outpouring of love and support we are receiving shows us how many lives that angel touched and lifted up, and it is what will help us through the most difficult time of our lives.”
Her dance team also shared a moving note on the loss of their "beautiful angel."
“Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart,” the team wrote. “She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend and sister to her teammates.”
“Our sweet sweet Emily — We love you endlessly and miss you more than words can ever express,” they said. “Everything we do is for you, our beautiful angel.”
