Rancho Cucamonga mourns student after her death on 210 Freeway

The Los Osos High School community is mourning the death of fellow student Emily Gold, remembering her as a beloved classmate who this summer appeared on “America’s Got Talent” with her dance team. According to the San Bernardino County coroner, the 17-year-old died Friday, Sept. 13, on the 210 Freeway near the Haven Avenue overpass in Rancho Cucamonga.

She died by suicide, the coroner reported. A makeshift memorial was growing Tuesday, Sept. 17, on the Haven overpass, with mourners leaving photos, balloons, candles, flowers and other mementos to honor Gold.



A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Gold, a member of the Los Osos dance troupe also appeared this summer on America’s Got Talent.

(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept.

17, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.

(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A makeshift memorial for Los Osos High School student Emily Gold grows as it sits on the Haven Avenue overpass of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, Sept.

17, 2024. Gold, a member of the Los Osos dance troupe also appeared this summer on America’s Got Talent. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Her father, Steven A.

Gold, an assistant professor at Western University of Health Sciences, shared the family’s heartbreak on social media . “With sadness beyond measure we must tell you all that we lost our beautiful Emily on September 13th,” Steven Gold wrote on Instagram. “Our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now.

” “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,” he continued. “Thank you all so much for your love and support.” Emily Gold, a senior at Los Osos, was named a varsity dance captain in August, according to the team’s social media page, and was part of the dance team that auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” in May.

In a message posted to the Los Osos Varsity Dance Instagram , the team offered its condolences, saying, “Our sweet sweet Emily, we love you endlessly and miss you more than words can ever express. Everything we do is for you, our beautiful angel.” Community members attended vigils in Gold’s honor Saturday and Sunday night.

The Grizzlies’ football game Thursday will honor Gold as well. Students are asked to dress in gold in their classmate’s honor for a “gold game,” and a moment of silence is planned during the game to remember her, according to Chaffey Joint Union High School District officials. In a statement, Superintendent Mat Holton said the school district is heartbroken over Gold’s death.

“Emily was a cherished member of the Los Osos High School campus and was beloved by her fellow students and teachers,” Holton said. “The district and school are providing on-site grief counselors and therapists to any student who might need support during this difficult time,” he added. “We extend our deepest condolences to Emily’s family and loved ones.

” A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help her family pay for arrangements. Gold’s death comes during national suicide prevention month, which aims to raise awareness about suicide and resources available to combat it. The county Department of Behavioral Health Office of Suicide Prevention is hosting a monthlong series of free community trainings, the county announced in a news release earlier this month.

The three-hour training, SafeTALK, teaches participants how to recognize and support a person with thoughts of suicide. The next training will be hosted 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19, at Flipside Church in Rancho Cucamonga. Training and registration information can be found on the Office of Suicide Prevention website .

If you are considering suicide, or someone you know is, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org ..