RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, (Pain In The Pass) >> The San Bernardino County Coroner Department have identified the teenager who tragically died by suicide on a bridge early Thursday morning. This marks the second student from Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga to take their life within two weeks. 17-year-old male, Shirin Connor Furutan, of Fontana died on the 210 Freeway at the Haven Avenue overpass Thursday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol traffic log, reported that a male teenager had jumped from the same overpass around 1:30am.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Furutan’s death occurred near the same overpass where another student, Emily Gold, also 17, died by suicide back on September 13. Both teens attended Los Osos High School, prompting an outpouring of grief from the school community.
In a statement released on Thursday, Chaffey Joint Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Mathew Holton expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of another student. “We can’t begin to express the depth of our grief over the heartbreaking loss of another student from Los Osos High School,” Holton said. “Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of both students lost in recent weeks. We stand united in supporting our community through this difficult time.”
Authorities have not confirmed any direct connection between the two deaths, but their proximity in both location and time has raised concerns within the community. Both incidents happened in the same area, further intensifying the emotional response from students, parents, and school officials.
Shirin Furutan was originally from Trencin, Slovakia, according to an online obituary. Rather than requesting flowers, Furutan’s family has asked for donations to be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in his memory. The link to the donation page has been made available by the family for those wishing to contribute to the cause.
These two suicides come during National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and providing support to those who may be at risk. A suicide and crisis hotline are available 24 hours a day for anyone in need of support. Individuals seeking help or emotional support can reach the hotline by dialing 988.
The situation has underscored the importance of mental health support, particularly for teenagers facing emotional and psychological challenges. School officials and community leaders are now focusing on providing resources and counseling services to help students cope with the recent events and to prevent future tragedies.
The deaths of these two students serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts. Both Furutan and Gold’s families, as well as the school community, are now relying on the support of friends, loved ones, and mental health organizations to navigate this incredibly difficult time.
There are more ways to follow the Pain In The Pass. Join the Traffic Group on Facebook with over 147,000 members. Join the group on MeWe. Like us on the NEW page on Facebook. Follow us on NewsBreak, and also follow us on Instagram, Threads, and X aka Twitter.