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    Family of teen cheerleader from ‘America’s Got Talent’ speaks out after her suicide: ‘Hole the size of the universe’

    By Steve Janoski,

    24 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4WNdKb_0vZtOgpq00

    The heartbroken parents of a teenage cheerleader who committed suicide just weeks after a spectacular appearance on “America’s Got Talent” spoke out Sunday — saying their beloved daughter’s death has left a “hole the size of the universe” in their hearts.

    Emily Gold, a 17-year-old from California, jumped to her death from an overpass in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night in what the San Bernardino Coroner’s Office has said was a suicide, according to US Magazine.

    Two days later, her parents took to Instagram to announce her death — and share their unfathomable grief with the world.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3RYN3k_0vZtOgpq00
    The body of Emily Gold, 17, was found just before midnight Friday under an overpass. Instagram / Brandy Gold

    “Dear friends. With sadness beyond measure we must tell you all that we lost our beautiful Emily on September 13th,” bereaved parents Steven and Brandy Gold wrote in the Sunday post.

    “Our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now,” they continued. “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.”

    “Thank you all so much for your love and support.”

    Teen cheerleader from ‘America’s Got Talent’ dead at 17 in apparent suicide

    Emily’s brother, Alex, also signed the post — and left his own sorrowful note in the comment section.

    “I love you sis i’m going to do it all for you ill always look for you in the sky,” he wrote, ending the post with a pair of yellow hearts.

    Emily’s death came just a month after her Los Osos High School dance troupe performed at the quarterfinals of NBC’s reality competition show “America’s Got Talent.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3trgeW_0vZtOgpq00
    Gold with her family. Instagram / Steven A. Gold
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3idi7p_0vZtOgpq00
    Gold had recently appeared with her school dance team on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Instagram / Em

    Gold and her teammates wowed judges — including Simon Cowell, the notoriously dour celebrity who gave them a rare standing ovation after their audition performance in May.

    “It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell, 64, said at the time. “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.”

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    The high-energy troupe was eliminated during the show’s August quarterfinals.

    Cowell, however, remained impressed.

    “I don’t know anything about dance,” he said. “However, that to me was an event.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0VrtHn_0vZtOgpq00
    Her parents’ heartbreaking Instagram post lamenting her death. Instagram / Brandy Gold
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2UfpLN_0vZtOgpq00
    The team impressed notoriously dour judge Simon Cowell during each appearance.

    The teen dancer seemed thankful regardless of the elimination — writing in one of her final Instagram posts that performing on the show was “the most incredible experience,” according to Pennlive.

    On Friday night, the California Highway Patrol got a call that a teenager was wandering through traffic in Rancho Cucamonga, which is near Los Angeles.

    But the cops were too late, the US Sun reported.

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    By the time they arrived, Emily’s body lay beneath the overpass.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YEKeN_0vZtOgpq00
    Gold and her teammates wowed judges who gave them a rare standing ovation after their audition performance in May. Instagram / Em
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2gT28Q_0vZtOgpq00
    A tribute posted to Instagram by Emily’s brother. Instagram / Alex Gold

    Authorities think she was hit at least once, but the driver was nowhere to be found, the outlet said.

    The Los Osos High School Varsity Dance Team put out a statement Monday that lamented their “beautiful, kind and loving” captain’s passing, US Weekly said.

    “Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart,” the team wrote.

    “She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend and sister to her teammates.”

    “Our sweet sweet Emily — We love you endlessly and miss you more than words can ever express,” they said. “Everything we do is for you, our beautiful angel.”

    If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org .

    For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

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    Comments / 56
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    Tee Clinton
    15d ago
    May the good Lord have mercy on her soul. Our condolences to her family.
    Heather
    21d ago
    While I appreciate the part at the end reaching out to those considering suicide, I wonder if the outpouring of love and increased attention postmortem can actually encourage other kids to take their own lives. I don't mean. to diminish her accomplishments in any way, but just point out that discussing why she felt so lost and how she could have found help might be a better focus than glamorous pictures that hid the pain underneath.
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