America’s Got Talent cheerleader, 17, leaps to her death from California overpass
A California school is in shock after the sudden death of a popular student, just a month after her dance group wowed the judges on America’s Got Talent.
Emily Gold, 17, was found dead under a bridge just before midnight Friday in an apparent suicide on eastbound Highway 210 in Rancho Cucamonga.
She was part of the Los Osos High School dance group that reached the quarterfinals of this year’s AGT with their energetic dance routine.
A Gofundme campaign has already raised nearly half of the $50,000 goal, and distraught friends of the talented dancer have taken to social media to express their gratitude.
“From the moment I saw her on stage, I knew she had found her calling!” wrote Janet Womack.
Emily Gold was found dead Friday night on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga, weeks after competing on America’s Got Talent
Devastated friends of the talented dancer have taken to social media to express their praise.
“Time stood still when you saw her dance. She was in her element. It was like she had been doing it her whole life.”
“Let everyone know that she is now at peace, even though there were many who loved and even looked up to Emily Gold,” Samantha Shaw wrote.
‘She will be remembered no matter what by her Grizzly friends and by those who loved her with all their heart and soul.
‘Emily Gold, thank you for everything you’ve done in this world. You’ve done more than enough. Claws up to you Emily. Claws up.’
AGT judge Simon Cowell gave the group a standing ovation after their stunning performance during the auditions in May of this year.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” he told the panel. “What I loved about it was the energy first of all. I think I just saw everything that a great school should do, which is to encourage talent and friendship.
“It reminded me of the movie High School Musical and I thought, ‘Every kid should go to a school like that.
AGT judge Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation after the group’s stunning performance during the auditions in May this year
Emily was a member of both the school dance team and the school cheerleading team.
Emily in her last Instagram post four weeks ago
Multiple callers alerted the California Highway Patrol after seeing Emily on the road just east of Haven Avenue. By the time officers arrived, she had been struck by multiple vehicles.
All lanes of the busy highway were briefly closed to traffic, but two were reopened within 15 minutes.
The school brought up the news of the senior’s death in a message to students on Saturday.
“Emily was on our dance team and cheerleading team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they grieve.”
“Please keep Emily and her loved ones and friends in your thoughts and prayers,” Los Osos High School Principal Eric Cypher added in a written statement.
“I am also available if you would like to contact me.”
Fellow group member Mia Bustamante said Emily would be “missed beyond words.”
“You brought me the most beautiful kind of love I could ever ask for. My best friend, my forever dancing sister,” she wrote.
Dailymail.com has contacted the school and the California Highway Patrol for comment.