’America’s Got Talent’ Favorite Emily Gold Dies By Suicide Shortly After Earning Standing Ovation

America’s Got Talent contestant and Los Osos High School dancer and cheerleader, Emily Gold, has died. She was 17 years old.

Gold was found dead by suicide at 11:52 pm on Friday (Sept. 13), the San Bernardino Coroner told People. Per the California Highway Patrol Public Information Office, “officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a pedestrian down in lanes.”

The statement continued, “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. The female did succumb to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Last month, Gold and the Los Osos High School dance team were eliminated in the America’s Got Talent quarterfinals. However, the team received a standing ovation from judge Simon Cowell.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell said. “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. “

He continued, “It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking every kid should go to a school like that.”

Gold’s community have since organized a GoFundMe to raise money for her family. See it here.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis, call 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s website for free, confidential emotional support and resources 24/7.