• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Family Of High School Football Star Who Died By Suicide Thank Public For Support

Bryce "Simba" Gowdy was set to start classes at Georgia Tech this week. The public is pitching in to help his family following the tragic loss.
Family Of High School Football Star Who Died By Suicide Thank Public For Support
City of Deerfield Beach, Florida Facebook
By Tanya A. Christian · Updated December 6, 2020

A South Florida high school football star was just days away from starting classes at Georgia Tech when he took his life, NBC News reports. The death of the promising teen athlete has left his family in dismay, and the public pitching in to help pick up the pieces. To date, a GoFundMe page that was started to help his family pay for funeral arrangements has raised more than $122,000.

His family, including mother, Shibbon Mitchell shared a message on the page, saying, “Our hearts are full of sadness and pain as we try to wrap our heads around the sudden passing.” They added, “In these troubling times, we would like to thank everyone for the loving support, prayers, contributions and kind words for our loving son and brother.” 

Bryce “Simba” Gowdy died on Dec. 30. As reported by 11 Alive, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office says the 17-year-old was struck by a freight train around 4 a.m. in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The medical examiner’s office later confirmed that the incident was the result of a suicide.

Article continues after video.

According to those who knew the teen, he was an “exceptional student,” a hard worker and graduated a semester early from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. At the time of his death, he and his family were dealing with financial hardships and homelessness.  In a now-deleted Facebook post, the content of which was captured by NBC 6 Miami, Mitchell shared that days before her son’s passing he was “talking crazy” about signs and symbols and had a lot of questions about spirituality, asking if his family was going to be okay.

Part of the money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will go towards helping Gowdy’s family get back on their feet, including therapy in the wake of their devastating loss. Before Gowdy passed away, he was living out of a car with his mother and brothers. 

“We know many of you have sent questions and concerns about the well-being of our family,” they said on the donation page. “As we grieve, we have received support beyond our belief. We always knew Bryce was loved and adored by many, but this level of support has been a true testament to his legacy. Our love for Bryce is endless.”

Family Of High School Football Star Who Died By Suicide Thank Public For Support

Funeral arrangements for the Georgia Tech signee have been set. Friday, Jan. 10 the family is holding a viewing at Deerfield Beach High Auditorium from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 his funeral will take place at 1 p.m. followed by a repast at Deerfield Beach High Auditorium.  Services are open to the public.

TOPICS:  American Soul black mental health Black youth suicide bryce gowdy Danielle Young Don Cornelius GoFundMe Mental Health Soul Train suicide
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now