Counselors At Plano School After 2 Teens Allegedly Commit Suicide
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COLLIN COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - It will be a somber and tough day for students at Plano East Senior High School. Administrators, staff, teachers and students are all mourning the loss of two young women. Police think the girls both committed suicide over the weekend.
As the Murphy Police Department continues to investigate the two deaths, grief counselors prepare to help students as they return to class.
Those grief counselors will be at the school for the second day in a row. A district spokesperson says about 100 people, including students and families, were at the campus Sunday to get help from the counselors.
According to police, family members found the body of 17-year-old Ritu Sachdeva at her home. Hours later, police found her classmate, Hillary Kate Kuizon. The body of that 17-year-old was found in a wooded area close to Kimbrough Stadium. According to investigators there was no evidence of foul play detected at either location.
Police say the young women were friends, and those that knew them describe both girls as smart, beautiful and nice. Student Christian Lewis didn't know the girl'e personally but said, "I've seen them probably a couple times in the past. They were good students, always on time, always kept their grades up."
Some students of campus said if there is anything good that can come out of the tragedies, it's that maybe there will be more of an open dialogue when it comes to talking about suicide or suicidal thoughts. Student Praharsha Sunkara said, "I don't know what the school can do, or anyone else can do to prevent stuff like this really. But I really think that just talking about it would help."
Murphy Police Chief Arthur Cotton issued a statement saying --
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the two families. We are treating these two cases with the care and compassion they deserve, and will continue to seek answers for the families."
Police say they're still trying to determine if the deaths are related, but at this point it's not clear if there is a connection. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of both deaths.
Anyone contemplating suicide or is dealing with the suicide death of someone they know is encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to talk with a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in their area. Call 800-273-TALK -- that's 800-273-8255.
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