Millburn Teen, 14, Dies; Family Pens Heartbreaking Obituary

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The family of a 14-year-old in Essex County who died this week is attempting to raise awareness about the “suffering in the darkness” that caused a promising young woman with a “God-given gift of inspiring love” to take her own life.

Lauren Grace Liu, a Millburn resident and freshman at Kent Place School in Summit, earned straight As in her first trimester and made the starting lineup of the varsity tennis team. She was an avid skier who loved to brave double-black diamond trails, according to an obituary penned by her parents. More importantly, she brought incredible love and happiness into the lives of those who shared her life, her family wrote.

But despite her ability to bring joy to others, Liu was “suffering in the darkness” and privately battling a deep, inexplicable pain, according to a heartrending obituary from her family. As a result, Liu took her own life in her home on Monday, her family said.

In an effort to raise awareness for suicide prevention, Liu's family has established the “Hope for Lauren Foundation,” which supports children who are suffering from depression and mental illness, funds clinical and biomedical research for depression, raises awareness for suicide prevention, and supports families who are suicide survivors. (Donate online here)

According to her obituary, a “celebration of life service” in Liu’s remembrance will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Community Congregational Church in Short Hills. Doors will open at 10:45 a.m. for a time of gathering and viewing of memorabilia that represented her life, followed by a celebration of life service at 11:30 a.m. (Read the full obituary here)

Millburn Superintendent Christine Burton sent a letter to parents and guardians in the district expressing her heartfelt condolences to the Liu family about the former Millburn Middle School student’s passing, TAP Into Millburn/Short Hills reported.

“It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person,” Burton wrote. “This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school community, especially our students. The district has teams of counseling professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel during a difficult time such as this. Our counselors are available for any student who may need or want any type of assistance surrounding this loss. We will make additional supports available to all of our schools to address small groups or individual students and staff members. We encourage you, as parents, to reach out to our staff if you feel your child would benefit from these services.”

TEEN SUICIDE IN NEW JERSEY

Liu’s tragic death isn’t the only recent instance of an Essex County teen taking their own life.

In December 2016, Eva Smith, a 15-year-old Bloomfield resident, took her own life, stunning the Essex County community. Her father, Ronstin, posted an emotionally wrenching video about his daughter’s suicide after her death, imploring others to realize when “someone in your life is hurting.”

• See related article: 'This Was Not A Joke:' N.J. Dad's Video Cry For Help After Daughter's Fatal Bridge Fall

According to the New Jersey Youth Suicide Report, after unintentional injury and illness, suicide is now the third leading cause of death for New Jersey's young people ages 10-24. The number of suicides among children and young adults has increased 40 percent since 2002, the report states.

While suicide rates are declining for older teens, those ages 19-24, they are increasing for younger teens and pre-teens, ages 10-18.

Since 2007, suicide rates among children between the ages of 10 and 14 has doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

• See related article: More NJ Teens Are Committing Suicide: Why It's Happening And What Can Be Done

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Tlc4teens.org: A website created by the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth, which includes organizations, hotlines and relevant articles that have been vetted by TLC
• Call or text 2NDFLOOR — a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey youth and young adults, ages 10 to 24, at 888-222-2228. It is staffed 24 hours a day.
• NJ Hopeline: 855-NJ-HOPELINE at 855-654-6735

Send local news tips and feedback to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Previous reporting by Carly Baldwin and Daniel Hubbard, Patch staff writers

Main Photo: Shutterstock

Visit the Patch Millburn-Short Hills Facebook page here.