Parkland Survivor Donovan Metayer Passes Away at 26, Cause of Death Revealed to Be Suicide
Parkland survivor Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer has tragically died by suicide at age 26.
His sister Nancy announced the news.
She posted on Facebook, “On Monday, December 15th, my baby brother, Donovan, committed suicide after a seven-year battle with schizophrenia. Thank you for the immense love and support our family has received from community in the days since Donovan’s passing. I see your messages, hear your voicemails, and deeply grateful for every expression of remorse. As I continue to navigate my grief, I am not in a space to carry conversations at this time, but please know your kindness has not gone unnoticed. To honor Donovan’s life and legacy, our family is establishing a mental health fund in his name. This fund will expand access to mental health services and support for individuals and families who need it most. Your generosity, compassion, and continued support mean more than words can express during this time. In lieu of calls, messages, or flowers, I invite you, if you are able, to consider a donation of any amount to support this effort. Thank you for holding our family in your thoughts and for honoring Donovan’s memory with such grace, compassion, and love.”
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Donovan was a survivor of the shooting that took place in 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The GoFundMe that was set up detailed more: “His senior year was marked by the Parkland shooting, one of the most devastating acts of gun violence in our nation’s history. The trauma of that day and the loss of classmates lingered long after graduation and profoundly altered the course of his life. In the months that followed, Donny began to withdraw. Depression, guilt, emotional instability, and long periods of isolation replaced the vibrant young man we once knew. Though he had dreamt of college and a future in computer science, his worsening mental health made those dreams difficult to reach.”
Our thoughts are with Donovan‘s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time. RIP.
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.