Parkland teen kills self over ‘guilt’

MIAMI— Sydney Aiello, a19-yearold Parkland shooting survivor, killed herself Sunday, according to family and friends.

The news made its way across social media Friday after Aiello’s parents told Miami Herald news partner CBS 4 that her daughter took her own life because of “survivor’s guilt.”

Aiello’s funeral took place Friday, her parents said. Their daughter was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who was on campus Feb. 14, 2018, the day an armed gunman killed 17 people.

One of those victims was her close friend, Meadow Pollack.

Meadow’s father, Andrew Pollack, told the Herald his “heart goes out to those poor, poor parents.”

“It’s terrible what happened. Meadow and Sydney were friends for a long, long time,” Pollack said, pivoting his comments to students. “Killing yourself is not the answer.”

He continued: “If anyone feels like that they have no one that can understand their pain, if there’s any student out there that’s having a hard time, please reach out to me on Twitter. I understand you. You aren’t alone.”

In a GoFundMe fundraiser, Aiello was described as someone who “filled her days cheerleading, doing yoga, and brightening up the days of others.”

“Sydney spent19 years writing her story as a beloved daughter, sister and friend to many,” her family wrote.