‘Apparent suicide’ claims second Parkland school shooting survivor in a week – By John Bacon & Jorge L. Ortiz (USA Today) / March 24 2019
A student at the Florida high school where a gunman’s rampage killed 17 people last year was found dead of an apparent suicide, police said Sunday – the second student from the school to claim their own life in a week.
The student, whose name was not released, attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
“Officers responded to a call Saturday and determined the death was from apparent suicide,” Coral Springs officer Tyler Reik told USA TODAY. “The investigation is ongoing.”
Reik said a suicide of a young person takes its toll on a community.
“Any time a community deals with that, especially with young individuals and suicide, it definitely hits the whole community,” he said. “For the family and the friends of the victim, our hearts go out to them. We need to continue reaching out, especially with the younger individuals in the community, support groups and whatever we can do because it affects everybody in a different way.’’
Reik would provide few other details. The Miami Herald, citing sources it did not name, said the victim was a sophomore boy.
On March 17, school alum Sydney Aiello, 19, died of apparent suicide, her family and friends said. Aiello was friends with Meadow Pollack, one of those who died in the massacre Feb. 14, 2018.
Parkland survivor and alum David Hogg, one of several students who have led a nationwide charge for increased school safety and tighter gun restrictions, took note of the deaths on Twitter.
“How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government/school district to do anything?” Hogg tweeted. “Rip 17+2”
How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government / school district to do anything?
https://twitter.com/davidhogg111/status/1109825488057450496
Meadow’s brother, Hunter Pollack, posted a tweet paying homage to Aiello.
“It was devastating to bury another beautiful young person in Parkland today,” he said Friday. “Our community is going through tragedy again. Please keep the Aiello Family in your prayers. Rest in peace, Sydney. Please take care of my sister.”
Cara Aiello – Sydney’s mother – told CBS Miami that her daughter was at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School the day of the assault but was not in the building where the massacre occurred.
https://twitter.com/PollackHunter/status/1108521170654109696
Aiello said her daughter struggled with survivor’s guilt and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She had difficulty in college because she was afraid of sitting in classrooms, Cara Aiello told the TV station.
A GoFundMe account seeking $20,000 for the Aiello family to “honor their daughter” had drawn more than $70,000 in pledges Sunday.
“She lit up every room she entered,” the GoFundMe page says. “She filled her days cheerleading, doing yoga, and brightening up the days of others. Sydney aspired to work in the medical field helping others in need.”
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
