WASHINGTON — A California teenager who competed on "America's Got Talent" as part of her high school's dance team has died at the age of 17, the group shared on Monday.
"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," the Los Osos High School Varsity Dance Team said in a statement on Instagram. "She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend, and sister to her teammates."
While Gold's death on Sept. 13 is still being investigated, it's being treated as a suicide, officials told multiple media outlets.
In a Instagram post on Sunday, her parents thanked everyone for their love and support.
"Our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now. The outpouring of love and support we are receiving shows us how many lives that angel touched and lifted up, and it is what will help us through the most difficult time of our lives," the statement said.
The California Highway Patrol said in a statement shared with PEOPLE and USA TODAY that a 17-year-old female was found dead Friday night on State Route 210 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Officers had been called to the scene after a report of a "pedestrian down in lanes."
The Los Osos dance team's audition kicked off season 19 of "AGT" as the first act shown. Gold and the team received a standing ovation from the crowd and judge Simon Cowell called the performance "brilliant."
They performed again during the live quarterfinals on Aug. 13. While they earned high praise from most of the judges again, Los Osos didn't make it to the next round of the reality competition.
According to PEOPLE, Gold spoke to the outlet on Aug. 13 and said this of her time competing onstage: "When I'm performing, I'm really thinking about all the corrections because we get corrections up until five minutes before we go on stage. So to really just think about all those so that we apply them is my biggest priority on stage."
Editor's note: The U.S. suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
