Emily Gold, the 17-year-old dance captain who led her Los Osos High School cheerleading squad to the quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent just one month ago, died of an apparent suicide on Friday, Sept. 13.
Her remains were discovered under an overpass just before midnight on Friday, according to The Sun.
The California Highway Patrol was dispatched to the location after receiving several phone calls of a teenager “wandering through traffic in Rancho Cucamonga, outside Los Angeles, according to police.
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While the San Bernadino County Coroner’s Office confirmed that her death was a suicide, officers at the scene believe Emily was “struck by at least one other vehicle in the carpool lane on eastbound 210.”
The Coroner’s Office didn’t have any other details to share, but police officers say the driver who hit her was nowhere to be found and they could be facing charges, if found. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information that might help the investigation is being asked to direct those details to Officer S. Gonzalez.
Emily Gold willed her team to America’s Got Talent quarterfinals
Gold’s death comes as a surprise to many, including those who were watching her compete on America’s Got Talent with her Los Osos High School cheerleading team just one month ago.
Los Osos is a public high school located in Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California’s Inland Empire.
Gold’s team fought their way through the auditions before landing in the quarterfinals on August 13. Their performance left Simon Cowell on his feet as he gave the squad a standing ovation, but it wasn’t enough.
The Los Osos High School team were eliminated that night, despite receiving a lot of praise from Cowell.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell said of them. “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. “
People caught up with Emily Gold on Aug. 13. When asked how she was juggling being in high school with competing on AGT, Gold replied, “it’s definitely tough to balance it all, but we make it happen.”
Friends create a GoFundMe account for the Gold family
Over the weekend, friends of the Gold family created a GoFundMe page to ensure the dancer’s family has the means to properly mourn their daughter’s death. All proceeds will go directly to the family.
“As a community lets come together and support the Gold family in this difficult time. Please know this money will go directly to the family to support them and help with expenses,” the description read.
The organizer of the page set an initial goal of $50,000. After less than two days, the page has received more than 330 donations totaling nearly $26,000 as friends, family, and community members rush to help.
“Thank you all who have donated, know that the Gold family is aware of this GoFund me and are grateful for your help and prayers. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers,” the organizer said in a posted update.
Some of those who donated were leaving words of support for the family as they navigate this difficult time.
“We are sending tons of love, thoughts and prayers to your family,” said one donor. We remember all those long gymnastics days spent together. Those Vegas trips. She will be missed dearly. May she rest in peace and may you all find some comfort in the arms of each other. We love you and are here for you.”
Gold’s dance team releases a heartbreaking statement
On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Los Osos high school dance team released a statement regarding the death of their “beautiful, kind, and loving” Emily Gold, who earned the right to be their senior varsity captain.
“Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart,” the team said in the statement.
They went on to say that she will always be remembered as a “leader, role model, friend, and sister to her teammates,” and that they’ll miss her “more than words can ever express.”
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If you or someone you know needs support, please don’t hesitate to call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat online at 988lifeline.org, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Help is available 24/7.