Medical examiners with the Coroner’s Office identified the female teenager who died Tuesday night from a gunshot.
Keira Ashtyn Boyd, 17, of Santa Clarita, died after sustaining a gunshot wound in her home earlier this week. Homicide detectives are treating the death investigation as a suspected suicide.
The final determination is made by the Coroner’s Office, which has yet to conduct an autopsy as of Thursday morning.
Boyd was a senior at Hart High School and a member of the school’s softball team.
Shortly after her death Tuesday, the softball team tweeted out the following:
“The Hart softball family has endured a tragic loss tonight… Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boyd family. Keira, you will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We will always love you. #OneHart.”
The William S. Hart Union High School District is on break, but counseling resources for students will be available on the Hart High campus if a student needs to talk to someone, according to Hart High’s twitter account. Hart district officials have asked the media not to publicize the event as it is not a memorial or celebration of life, but a chance for students to speak with a counselor confidentially.
The counseling is private, for students, and anyone interested should contact the district office at 259-0033 for more information regarding the availability of resources.
From a previous story: Homicide detectives investigating suspected suicide in Santa Clarita
Anyone with concerns about their mental health can also text 741741 and then type in a request for help, and someone will call them back right away, said Larry Schallert, assistant director of COC’s Student Health & Wellness Center, “There’s also the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on how to survive suicide loss.”
For loss survivors, they mention the following advice, according to its website:
“Find a support group: You don’t have to cope with your loss alone. There are support groups specifically for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Do what feels right to you: Don’t feel pressured to talk right away. If you choose to discuss your loss, speaking can give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way.
Write: You may find it helpful to write your feelings or to write a letter to your lost loved one. This can be a safe place for you to express some of the things you were not able to say before the death.
Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to let your friends provide support to you, or to look for resources in your community such as therapists, co-workers, or family members.”
Schallert noted there’s always a ripple effect, and it’s important that the community tries to support so everyone can survive it and avoid “clusters” or someone who might try to imitate that action.
Mental Health and other resources for Santa Clarita Valley
College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Resource Website
Child & Family Center, Santa Clarita
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Behavioral Health Free and Confidential MH Screening Website:
Mental Health America
Mental Health: It’s Part of All Our Lives 1-800- 789-2647
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
National Institute for Mental Health
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK
Reachout.com
SAMHSA Site for Coping with Disaster and Traumatic Events:
Santa Clarita City Mental Health Resource Page
SCV Youth Project (661) 257.YOUTH (9688)
Stop Bullying
SRD~Straightening Reins – equine therapy 661-803-1641
ACCESS (DMH Mental Health Hotline) (800)-854- 7771
Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Center (818) 267-1100
Child & Family Center, Santa Clarita (Children, Youth and Adults) (661) 259-9439
Child and Family Guidance Center – Northridge (818) 993-9311
College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Center (661)-362- 3259
The Center currently helps over 750 children and their families each week. For more information, contact the Center at 661-259-9439 or visit www.childfamilycenter.org.
To learn more about emotional health and how to get help or support a loved one, visit jedfoundation.org/help.
