“America's Got Talent” Remembers Season 19 Contestant Emily Gold as a 'Bright Young Soul' After Her Sudden Death at Age 17

After the Los Osos High School dancer died by suicide on Sept. 13, her dance team also wrote a touching tribute, praising Gold's "strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most human heart"

America's Got Talent is paying tribute to season 19 contestant Emily Gold after she died suddenly at age 17.

In a post on Facebook, the hit NBC competition show said: "The AGT Family sends out our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team members of Emily Gold. She was a bright young soul and will be deeply missed."

Gold, a Los Osos High School dancer and contestant on America's Got Talent season 19, died by suicide on the evening of Sept. 13, the San Bernardino Coroner's Office confirmed to PEOPLE on Sept. 16.

The tragedy came just weeks after Gold and her high school dance team competed on the NBC talent show and received a standing ovation in the quarterfinals round, before getting eliminated in August.

Related: America's Got Talent Cheerleader, 17, Dies by Suicide Just Weeks After Earning a Standing Ovation on the Show

A spokesperson from the San Bernardino Coroner's Office told PEOPLE that Gold was found dead by suicide at 11:52 pm on Sept. 13.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said that "officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a pedestrian down in lanes."

"When the officers arrived, they located a female, 17 year old, who was struck by at least one other vehicle in the carpool lane on eastbound 210," Jimenez said. "The female did succumb to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene."

In the wake of the tragedy, Gold's dance team issued a statement on Instagram on Sept. 16, remembering their "beautiful, kind and loving" friend and teammate.

"Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most human heart," they wrote in the post. "She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend and sister to her teammates."

"Our sweet, sweet Emily - we love you endlessly and miss you more than words can ever express. Everything we do is for you, our beautiful angel," the team added, before writing in the caption, "We thank everyone for the love and support during this time of grief and just ask that you keep the Gold family in your thoughts and prayers. ✨"

Chaffey Joint Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Mat Holton also spoke out about Gold's tragic death, telling PEOPLE in a statement: "The Chaffey Joint Union High School District community is heartbroken by the tragic death of Los Osos High School Senior Emily Gold. Emily was a cherished member of the Los Osos High School campus and was beloved by her fellow students and teachers. The District and school are providing on-site grief counselors and therapists to any student who might need support during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to Emily’s family and loved ones."

Related: America's Got Talent Unveils Its 10 Finalists for Season 19: Meet the Acts Vying for the $1 Million Prize (Exclusive)

Following her performance on AGT on Aug. 13, Gold told PEOPLE of her time 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."

Asked how she was juggling being in high school with performing on AGT, she said, "it's definitely tough to balance it all, but we make it happen."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Gold's loved ones have since organized a GoFundMe page to raise money for the dancer's family.

"With great sadness we share our Los Osos Grizzly Emily Gold has passed away," the fundraiser read. "As a community lets come together and support the Gold family in this difficult time. Please know this money will go directly to the family to support them and help with expenses."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.