19 Year-Old Shrub Oak Resident Dies After Jumping From Tappan Zee Bridge

A body was washed ashore on the banks of the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry's Waterfront Park this afternoon. State Police confirmed it is the body of 19-year-old Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez, a resident of Shrub Oak who jumped from the bridge this morning.

Students at Lakeland High School said they were surprised by what has happened. School officials made an announcement over the system to students during the first period in school this morning and everybody took a moment of silence. 

"If you walked down the hallway, you could hear people bursting into tears," said Nadia Silvestre, freshman at Lakeland High School.

Ruben Caban, senior, said he was good friends with Lynch-Gonzalez, whom he knew for two years. He described her as a vibrant and happy person. 

"I saw her yesterday at school, and I didn't sense anything of her that she might commit suicide," Caban said. 

He said she was excited to come home. Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez, a 2009 Lakeland High School graduate, was a private with the United States Army, and she may have been deployed this month. 

"Everybody who is close to her gathered in the auditorium to help one another cope with the loss," Caban sad. 

James Van Develde, director of public information at Lakeland School District, said there was grief counseling on-going throughout the regular school day. Their crisis intervention team also provided counseling to current and former students after school from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

"It's a tragic situation," he said. "There is no other way to put it." 

Lynch-Gonzalez's body has been transported to the Westchester County Examiners Office in Valhalla for autopsy, a report on the matter will be released tomorrow. Police said that recovery was aided by a smooth river and currents that were not strong.

Lakeland High School Principal Cheryl Champ said Lynch-Gonzalez was a skilled athlete, playing both varsity field hockey and lacrosse. She was elected to student government in her senior year.

"Elizabeth was lively, energetic, and brought a smile to everyone's face and had a wide circle of friends," Champ said.