America's Got Talent Cheerleader, 17, Dies by Suicide Just Weeks After Earning a Standing Ovation on the Show

Emily Gold had wowed the nation alongside the Los Osos High School dance team on 'America's Got Talent' in August

By Esther Kang Updated on September 16, 2024 04:21PM EDT

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Los Osos High School dancer and America's Got Talent contestant Emily Gold, 17, has died. ... On Friday, Sept. 13, Gold was found dead by suicide at 11:52 pm, the San Bernardino Coroner's Office confirms to PEOPLE.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said that "officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a pedestrian down in lanes."

"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."

Police have asked anybody who saw what happened or has additional information to contact their investigator, Officer S. Gonzalez.

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