Friends and family are shocked by the sudden death of Emily Gold, a skilled cheerleader from Los Osos High School who was only 17. The tragic end of Emily’s life happened just one month after she led her team to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent. Police think she killed herself.
Emily’s body was found near Rancho Cucamonga, outside of Los Angeles, on September 13, 2024, after someone said they saw a girl walking in the middle of the road. The California Highway Patrol was called, and later, the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office reported that she had killed herself, though a car may have played a role.
People watching America’s Got Talent were blown away by Emily’s amazing skills and contagious energy. Simon Cowell was one of the judges who liked what she and her cheerleading team did in the quarterfinals. Even though they were eliminated, Emily’s passion and commitment will be remembered for a long time.
Emily talked about how hard it was to balance high school and the stress of being on AGT in an interview after the show. Still, she stayed positive and was proud of what her team had done.
Since Emily’s death, people in the community have come together to support and comfort her family. Friends made a GoFundMe page that has raised almost $26,000 in just two days, which is more than half of its $50,000 goal.
A lot of touching messages from Emily’s friends, coworkers, and donors have been posted on the page to honor her life and work. The girls on her cheering squad remembered her as a “beautiful, kind, and loving” leader, friend, and role model who lived by their core values of strength, kindness, and dedication.
The case is still going on, and the police want anyone with information to come forward. If the driver is caught, they might have to deal with penalties.
Emily’s story is a powerful warning of how important it is to get help for mental health issues and how terrible suicide is. The people in her community will miss her very much, but her spirit will live on through all the lives she touched.
The huge amount of love and support for Emily’s family shows how much she meant to those who knew her. They are not alone as they deal with this terrible loss.
