Parkland suffers 2nd ‘apparent suicide’

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 provided few other details. 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. Cara Aiello – Sydney’s mother – told CBS Miami that her daughter struggled with survivor’s guilt and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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 or chat online.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.