Emily Gold, a teenage dancer who appeared on the final season of “America’s Got Talent” a month ago, has died at the age of 17.
The Los Osos High School dancer was found dead under a bridge along eastbound 210 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., at around 11:52 p.m. on Sept. 13, Officer Rodrigo Jiménez of the California Highway Patrol confirmed in a press release to USA Today on Monday. CHP officers were called to respond to a report of a “pedestrian lying on the roadway.”
“A 17-year-old woman from Rancho Cucamonga was struck by at least one vehicle in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane of eastbound SR-210 freeway,” the press release states. “The woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Mara Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s Department, confirmed Gold’s identity to USA Today in an email. Her death is being treated as a suicide.
Last month, Gold was part of the LOHS dance team on Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent,” which advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
- If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text or chat at 988lifeline.org
Simon Cowell was thrilled by the group’s performance and danced to hits like “OMG” and “Yeah” by Usher.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell said after the group’s audition in May. “What I loved about it was the energy. I think what I’ve just seen is everything a great school should do, which is encourage talent and friendship.”
In one of her recent Instagram posts, the young dancer wrote that her performance on AGT was “the most incredible experience.” She also thanked her high school team for being the best family she could ask for.
Los Osos High School provides grief counselors to students and staff.
“Emily was a valued member of the Los Osos High School campus and was loved by her peers and teachers,” the superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District said in a statement to KTLA5.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for Gold’s family. The goal is to raise $50,000. So far, $36,172 has been raised.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our Los Osos Grizzly Emily Gold,” the fundraiser said. “Let’s come together as a community and support the Gold family during this difficult time. Please know that this money will go directly to the family to support them and help with expenses.”
