America's Got Talent cheerleader, 17, leaps to her death from California overpass

A California school is in shock after the sudden death of a popular student just a month after her dance troupe wowed judges on America's Got Talent.

Emily Gold, 17, was found dead under a bridge in an apparent suicide on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga just before midnight on Friday.

She had been part of the Los Osos High School dance group that reached the quarter finals of this year's AGT with their high-energy routine.

A Gofundme appeal has already raised nearly half of its $50,000 target and devastated friends of the talented dancer have paid tribute on social media.

'From the moment I saw her on the stage, I knew she had found her calling!' wrote Janet Womack.

'Time stopped when you watched her dance. She was in her element. It was like she'd been doing it her whole life.'

'Let it be known that she now rests easy although there were many that loved Emily Gold and even looked up to her,' wrote Samantha Shaw.

'She will be remembered none the less by her fellow Grizzlies and by those who loved her with all their heart and soul.

'Emily Gold, thank you for all that you have done in this world. You have done more than enough. Claws up to you Emily. Claws up.'

AGT judge Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation after the group's barnstorming appearance at the auditions in May this year.

'It was absolutely brilliant, he told the panel. 'What I loved about this was first of all the energy, I think what I just saw is everything a great school should be doing which is encouraging talent and friendship. 

'It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking 'every kid should go to a school like that'.

Several callers alerted California Highway Patrol after seeing Emily on the road just east of Haven Avenue, and a number of vehicles had struck her body by the time officers arrived.

All lanes of the busy highway were briefly closed to traffic, but two were back open within 15 minutes.

The school broke the news of the senior's death with a message to students on Saturday.

'Emily was on both our Varsity Dance Team and Varsity cheer squad, our thoughts and prayer are with the family as they grieve.' 

'Please keep Emily and her loved ones and friends in your thoughts and prayers,' added Los Osos High School Principal Eric Cypher in a written statement.

'I’m also available if you need to reach out to me.'

Fellow troupe member Mia Bustamante said Emily would be 'missed beyond words'.

'You brought me the most beautiful form of love I could ask for. My best friend, my forever dance sister,' she wrote. 

Dailymail.com has reached out to the school and the California Highway Patrol for comment.