Student Commits Suicide After Surviving School Massacre That Killed Her Best Friend

A student who survived the Parkland school shooting that killed her best friend has taken her own life one year after the massacre.

Sydney Aiello lost her best friend in the shooting at  Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, USA on February 14, 2018.

Her mother Cara Aiello told CBS Miami that her daughter had struggled with “survivor’s guilt” since the incident at her school She was also recently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The 19-year-old was close friends with Meadow Pollack, one of the 17 students and staff killed in the mass shooting.

Cara Aiello said her daughter Sydney was on campus when the shooter opened fire but was not in the Freshman Building. She added Sydney struggled to attend college classes because she was afraid of being in a classroom and was often sad but hadn’t asked for help before she killed herself. 

On March 17, she took her own life. Her funeral took place Friday. 

Nikolas Cruz, suspected of killing 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, appeared in court, Friday. His  trial is scheduled for early next year, no specific date has been set yet.