America’s Got Talent 2024 contestant, Emily Gold, member of the Los Osos High School dance team has died by suicide
Emily Gold, a member of the Los Osos High School dance team that competed on the current season 19 of America’s Got Talent, has died. She was 17. The group reached the quarter-finals of NBC reality competition.
Gold was found dead under a bridge on the 210 freeway in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, September 13. San Bernardino’s Coroners Office is treating Gold’s death as a suicide.
Her parents, Steven Gold and Brandy Gold, shared a tribute to their daughter in a social media post Sept. 15.
“Dear friends,” the message reads. “With sadness beyond measure we must tell you all that we lost our beautiful Emily on September 13th. Our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now.”
The message is posted along side a photo of Gold in her cheer uniform. “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.”
The message was signed by Emily’s parents Brandy and Steve, as well as her brother Alex. He wrote in comments, “I love you sis i’m going to do it all for you. I’ll always look for you in the sky.”
“She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend, and sister to her teammates”
The South California dance group also posted a message on their Instagram page: ““It is with such a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beautiful, kind, and loving Emily Gold, Senior and Varsity Dance Captain. Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart. 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. Everything we do is for you, our beautiful angel.”
They added in a caption, “We thank everyone for the love and support during this time of grief and just ask that you keep the Gold family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Gold was on both the school’s Varsity Dance Team and Varsity Cheer squad.
Watch the dance group perform during the Quarterfinals. Judge Simon Cowell called the performance a “gigantic step up” from their audition. He called it “an event.”
A GoFundMe was created to raise money for Gold’s family.
“With great sadness we share our Los Osos Grizzly Emily Gold has passed away. As a community lets come together and support the Gold family in this difficult time. Please know this money will go directly to the family to support them and help with expenses,” the page reads.
As of this writing, it’s raised roughly $40,189 of its $60,000 goal.
“The AGT Family sends out our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team members of Emily Gold,” AGT production says in a statement. “She was a bright young soul and will be deeply missed.”
