8-24-2023 3:40pm

Brother of Mountain View Middle School Suicide Victim Speaks Out

Chris Edwards Editor

The family of the 11 year old student of Mountain View Middle School posted a
statement via social media by Marcellus Milan concerning the death of his sister to suicide.

AlamogordoTownNews.com and KALHRadio.org extend our condolences. Our policy has been historically out of respect for the family not to publish the identity of a youth who has succumbed to tragedy. However the family published the following statement therefore we are forwarding his statement as an update to our previously published story.

Per Marcellus Milan; “Keep Our Family in Your Prayers

Yesterday, my worst fear as a big brother came true and I tragically lost my 11-year-old baby sister, Shanoah (Noah). The shock and pain we feel are indescribable. As a family, we made the heartbreaking decision to disconnect her from the machines that were keeping her body alive. She peacefully passed into the light late last night, surrounded by just a fraction of those who loved her dearly. I am grateful beyond words that I could be by her side in her final moments.

The children's hospital where Noah was airlifted offered us memory boxes to create, filled with precious mementos like handprint impressions of her hands. So I wove through the tubes and cords keeping her alive, to be able to stand above her head to cut a few locks of her hair, to preserve for our memory boxes. As I was about to cut the first lock, I stopped mid cut and had a flashback. I remembered asking her a few months ago what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she confidently replied, "a hairstylist." In that moment, about to cut a lock of her hair, the weight of her unrealized dreams hit me hard. She would have been an excellent stylist, and since that moment I eagerly anticipated taking her to my hairstylist, and to one day be sitting in her own chair. I told my siblings standing with me what I was reflecting on, and my little brother (her twin brother) said, “Oh yeah, she always asked if she could cut my hair, she said that I had a big forehead, and she could fix it for me.” We all burst out laughing, knowing this is exactly something she would have said.

Unfortunately, my siblings' mother passed away when they were just starting their journey in this world. Since then, our dad has been a single parent, raising them by himself for almost ten years. As a single dad raising them, even before this traumatic loss took place yesterday, money and resources were already tight. As we navigate this heart-wrenching time, I humbly ask for your support. If you feel moved to help our family honor Noah's memory, please consider donating to the GoFundMe page I've created. All funds will go towards planning her funeral services, and any additional donations will assist with grief counseling for my father, her twin brother and her sister.

This Tuesday, she would have celebrated her 12th birthday. I took this photo of her on the tire swing on June 9th, 2023.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/25537?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-…

From the depths of our hearts, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and contributions. Please hold your loved ones a little tighter today on our behalf.”

The Alamogordo Public Schools was aggressive in getting in front of the issue of grief by releasing a statement of the issue. Further they assembled a crises team to Middle View Middle School.

Alamogordo Public Schools HOPE Team is on site this week. The district’s crisis intervention team, led by Mental Health Coordinator, Sandra Wilder, MS, LPCC.

Per a release from Alamogordo Public Schools; “the team has been working around the clock with the students and staff at Mountain View Middle School this week. If you find that your child or someone you know has been struggling this week, please call or text 575-430-0191 or email: HOPE@alamogordoschools.org. If you need additional resources, HOPE will also be there to help!

Click here for a resource on talking to your child about death. https://www.alamogordoschools.org/core/fileparse.php/172/urlt/Talking-T…”

Yesterday Alamogordo Public Schools issued this statement:

Alamogordo Public Schools issued the following statement…

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of a heartbreaking incident that has deeply affected our Mountain View Middle School community. A student has tragically lost their life to suicide. Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all those who have been impacted by this devastating loss.

The well-being of our students is our utmost priority. Our dedicated crisis response team is actively engaged, they will be meeting with students both individually and in groups, providing them with the space to express their emotions and share their grief. This support will continue to be available not only Wednesday but also in the coming days and weeks as our students navigate through this challenging time.

In addition to the in-school support, we recognize the importance of community resources in helping our students cope with this tragedy. We are sharing the following resources that are available for those who feel the need for further assistance:

• The Counseling Center: For professional counseling services, please contact 575-488-2500.

• Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS): Reach out to 575-437-7404 for additional guidance and peer assistance.

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please call or text 988“

If your child expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviors, seek professional help through your pediatrician, Boston Children’s Hospital, calling a suicide helpline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contacting the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Dial 988 or call 911 the local police dispatch.