UPDATE, 10:54 a.m.: Press release from McKinleyville High School:

McKinleyville High School was closed today due to an apparent student suicide on our campus. While the school is safe, it will remain closed until Monday when school resumes. It is important for us to handle this in a thoughtful and confidential manner; therefore, we are unable to release details at this time.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the student.

While there is no school today, grief counseling for McKinleyville High and community members will be available from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at:

  • McKinleyville Family Resource Center
    1450 Hiller Rd, McKinleyville, CA 95519
    (707) 840-0905
  • Two Feathers Native American Family Services
    1560 Betty Ct A, McKinleyville, CA 95519
    (707) 839-1933
  • Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods McKinleyville Teen & Community Center
    1705 Gwin Rd, McKinleyville, CA 95519
    (707) 840-0304

Weekend crisis support will be available through the County of Humboldt’s Mental Health Mobile Response Team. 707-445-7715

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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UPDATE, 8:41 a.m.: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Samantha Karges says her department is working with the school and that more information will be released later today.

“All I can tell you at this time is that we are investigating an incident involving a student,” Karges said. “The most important thing for the community to know right now is that there is no threat or danger to McKinleyville High School students.”

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UPDATE, 8:18 a.m.: School employees tell the Outpost they’ve been told the juvenile’s death is the result of suicide.

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Mckinleyville High School administrators announced early Friday morning that school was cancelled for the day. Outpost readers report that there are numerous law enforcement personnel on campus. 

Scanner traffic from earlier today noted that a MHS janitor had found a deceased juvenile on the quad, according to Redheaded Blackbelt. 

We will update when we know more.