Emily Gold, a Rancho Cucamonga student who appeared on 'America's Got Talent,' has died at 17

A 17-year-old Rancho Cucamonga high school student who appeared on “America’s Got Talent” died on Sept. 13.

USA TODAY reported that Emily Gold, a member of the Los Osos High School dance team that was featured in the latest season of the show, was found dead on the 210 freeway in Rancho Cucamonga. Her death is being treated as a suicide, according to USA TODAY, and additional details on her death are being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

“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,” read a social media post by the Los Osos High School Varsity Dance Team. “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.”

The Los Osos High School dance team auditioned on season 19 of the popular NBC show “American’s Got Talent” in an episode that aired in May. The team danced to a mash-up of “OMG” and “Yeah!” by Usher. Judge Simon Cowell described the performance as “brilliant.”

“What I loved about this was, first of all the energy, and I think what I just saw is everything a great school should be doing, which is encouraging talent, friendship,” he said.

The team continued to the quarterfinals and received a roar of applause for their performance to “Fergalicious,” “Pump It” and “Whoomp! (There It Is).”

Resources if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis

September is Suicide Prevention Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has resources for those who need help in a time of crisis:

• Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis
• Chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org
• Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email helpline@nami.org if you are struggling with your mental health and need support

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Emily Gold, a Rancho Cucamonga student who appeared on 'America's Got Talent,' has died at 17