Teen Who Committed Suicide At High School Left Behind A Note
Authorities announced Monday that the 15-year-old student who committed suicide at Crescenta Valley High School last week left a note explaining why he chose to take his own life.
Sophmore Drew Ferraro got a running start before leaping from a three-story school building into a courtyard Friday around 12:30pm during school lunch break. Students, friends and faculty witnessed the fall, and the school was shut down Monday.
Friends of Ferraro said the boy was bullied, but investigators said from the beginning that no evidence of bullying playing into the scenario exists.
L.A. County sheriff's Lt. John Corina said a note was found on Ferraro's chest and was addressed to several family members and friends, according to Glendale News Press. Authorities declined to elaborate on the note's contents. Corina did offer the following confirmation: "I know there has been a lot of speculation about bullying - it had nothing to do with that,” he said.
Corina added that there was no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the boy's suicide, but did mention that Ferraro had been suffering from depression. His death was officially ruled a suicide Monday.
Glendale Unified is reportedly conducting its own internal investigation. Investigators have yet to identify how Ferraro accessed the roof of the building, as it was secured.
Today, students plan to sport heavy-metal t-shirts in Ferraro's honor. The late teen was a member of the junior varsity football team, a music fanatic and a comedic entertainer. A makeshift memorial has also been created at the campus in his honor.
On Monday, Rosemont Middle School Principal Cynthia Livingston asked the community to craft Valentine's Day cards to be distributed to each and every student and staff member at Crescenta Valley High on Tuesday. Volunteers hope to hit a grand total of 3,200 cards, says Montrose Patch. The Facebook page for "Have a Heart: Contagious LOVE for Crescenta Valley High School" currently shows 458 participants.
L.A. Now reports a funeral service is schedule for 10am Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tujunga.
