“America’s Got Talent” alum Emily Gold. Image: GoFundMe
Emily Gold, the cheerleader who recently competed on “America’s Got Talent” as part of the Los Osos High School dance team, has died. She was 17 years old.
Gold was said to have ended her own life on Sept. 13, as per the San Bernardino Coroner’s Office in California.
“Officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a pedestrian down in lanes,” the California Highway Patrol Public Information Office said in a statement sent to PEOPLE.
“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,” it continued. “The female did succumb to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Gold’s death came just a month after their group’s quarterfinals performance at the reality show competition. While the team did not make it to the next round, they received praises and even a standing ovation from show judge Simon Cowell.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell said of the team’s first performance. “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.”
Commending the group’s quarterfinals performance, Cowell exclaimed, “I don’t know anything about dance. However, that to me was an event. Really.”
Gold’s family has put up a fundraiser, which has so far garnered more than $31,000.