School copes with student’s death

Lindsay Sandham

Students, faculty and staff at Corona del Mar High School continued

to cope Monday with the death of a senior who authorities say killed

herself.

Newport Beach Police responded to a call at 8:23 a.m. May 17 at a

residence in Newport Coast, Sgt. Bill Hartford said.

The officer who arrived at the home found the girl unresponsive

and attempted resuscitation. Paramedics arrived shortly afterward and

pronounced her dead, Hartford said.

Officials ruled the death of the 17-year-old girl a suicide, said

Orange County Supervising Deputy Coroner Cullen Ellingburgh. The

Daily Pilot is withholding her identity.

The family could not be reached for comment.

A crisis team was on campus last week and counselors talked to

students, said Jane Garland, spokeswoman for the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District. “Everyone who knew her has been reached out to,”

Garland said.

Principal Bob Metz said the school intended to respect the

family’s request for privacy. “It’s a tragic loss, and obviously the

parents are hurting as a result of this,” Hartford said. “Any teenage

death is a tragic death.”

Garland said the school district urges all of its children to talk

to a teacher or counselor if they are having personal problems.

“If you can’t talk to your parents, come to us; we will help you,”

she said.

Garland said the issue of violence to oneself or to others is an

ongoing issue and is something the school district treats on an

everyday basis. She said they act proactively to try to reach all of

the children.

“This is a young lady we weren’t able to reach,” Garland said.