Sydney Aiello, Survivor of Parkland Mass Shooting, Takes Her Own Life, Parents Say

Victoria Seltzer, 11, writes a passage on a cross setup in a makeshift memorial in front of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in memory of the 17 people that were killed on February 14, in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 21, 2018. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for killing 17 people at the high school. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images,)

A student who survived the Parkland shooting in Florida has killed herself, according to reports on March 22.

Sydney Aiello, who graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and who was from Coconut Creek, took her own life last weekend, reported CBS Miami.

Her mother, Cara, said the 19-year-old was a vibrant teenager who focused on getting good grades, but added that she carried around the horrific memories of the Parkland shooting that left 17 people dead in February 2019.

The young woman was recently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to her mother, who said she was having difficulty attending college classes because she had a fear of being in a classroom.

Cara said before she took her own life, she had never asked anyone else for help.

Now, the grieving mother said she hopes that her daughter’s suicide can serve as a reminder to others that they can get the help that they need, according to CBS Miami.

“It breaks my heart that we’ve lost yet another student from Stoneman Douglas,” Ryan Petty, who is the father of Parkland shooting victim Alaina Perry, told the CBS affiliate.

“My advice to parents is to ask questions, don’t wait,” he added, saying he is concerned that other survivors of the mass shooting might take their own lives in the wake of the tragedy.

Meadow Pollack, a victim in the shooting, was a close friend of Sydney’s

Meadow’s father, Andrew Pollack, told the Miami Herald that his “heart goes out to those poor, poor parents,” referring to Sydney’s parents.

“It’s terrible what happened. Meadow and Sydney were friends for a long, long time,” Pollack continued.  “Killing yourself is not the answer.”

He continued: “If anyone feels like that they have no one that can understand their pain, if there’s any student out there that’s having a hard time, please reach out to me on Twitter. I understand you. You aren’t alone.”

(Getty Images/Rhona Wise -- Getty Images/Mark Wilsont)

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Sydney’s family to pay for her funeral.

“Sydney spent 19 years writing her story as a beloved daughter, sister and friend to many,” the GoFundMe says.

It adds: “She lit up every room she entered. She filled her days cheerleading, doing yoga, and brightening up the days of others. Sydney aspired to work in the medical field helping others in need. On March 17th, 2019 Sydney became the guardian angel to many. It was a privilege to have you in our lives. Sydney, we will miss you and always love you. May you find peace in His arms.”

Suicide Hotlines

If you are in an emergency in the U.S. or Canada, please call 911. You can phone the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1 800 273 8255. Youth can call the Kids Help Phone on 1800 668 6868.

In Australia, the suicide prevention telephone hotline at Lifeline is 13 11 14. You can also visit the Lifeline website at lifeline.org.au. Youth can contact the Kids Helpline by phoning 1800 551 800 or visiting headspace.org.au/yarn-safe