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Officials with the California Highway Patrol announced Wednesday that the ground search for missing Danville teenager Allison Bayliss has ended.
Authorities believe the 15-year-old jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge late Monday morning and search teams have since shifted to a water recovery operation in the area near the bridge.
Danville Police Chief Steve Simpkins said he received the news early Wednesday morning.
“This is a very sad outcome,” he said. “Our hearts go out to the Bayliss family at this time and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts.”
Highway Patrol Capt. Amy Mangan said there are cameras on both sides of the bridge, but wouldn’t comment if officers had footage of any incident related to Allison.
Danville Police, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, the National Parks Service are among the several law enforcement agencies and hundreds of Danville residents to search for the at-risk San Ramon Valley High sophomore since Monday afternoon. Allison’s parents said she is at risk and flyers being distributed with her picture say she left a suicide note at her home.
After an investigation of her computer that showed directions from the Dublin BART station to the Golden Gate Bridge, Allison’s bicycle was found on Tuesday afternoon in the Presidio area of San Francisco, near the Golden Gate Bridge. A search of the surrounding was called off late Tuesday due to darkness.
San Ramon Valley High Principal Joseph Ianora said the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s crisis team, which includes counselors and psychologists, will be on campus through the week.
The Bayliss family has extended their gratitude and thanks to the law enforcement, family, friends and many volunteers who put in so much effort on behalf of their daughter.
A candlelight vigil for Allison is scheduled for this evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Allison’s family and friends. Having lost my sister to suicide I know how badly they must be suffering. I hope they will find comfort in one another and consider getting help from a therapist or support group. The Contra Costa Crisis Center (www.crisis-center.org) is an excellent resource; I have attended their survivors of suicide support group and found it very helpful and therapeutic.
This is so sad. I cannot begin to imagine what the family is going through right now. Please all who are going to post here please lets be respectful to the family.
Parents look at your children tonight and give them a hug. Anyone of us can be in this same situation no family is so perfect and can say “this would never happen to me” it CAN happen.
To the Bayliss family, my heart breaks for you. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Hold onto the hand of God and He will get you through this most difficult time.
I also pray for the many kids at San Ramon High School who are suffering with this news. Be there for them even if they show no signs of stress it can be all interior so please be there for them.
No words, just tears! God bless this family.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young girl. The Danville community sends our love & support.
My heart goes out to the Bayliss family – this is so tragic. I am also grateful to the boys that set up the Facebook page, which provided information and support to the entire community. Thank you for providing something that helped to unite everyone – that was a wonderful thing you did.
I wish SRVHS would do a better job of providing support to students. My son is a student and had a class with Alliy (he said she was very smart, and very nice) and the teacher in that class didn’t even acknowledge her absence in the class yesterday. Only one teacher mentioned that she was missing, and the counselors were in their offices. Kids will not seek them out – they need to be more visible.
I think the best thing I can do is to make a donation to a suicide prevention organization – or maybe SRVHS could organize a fundraiser and the community could get involved and assist.
The vigil seems to be the best way to show support right now.
Counselors were meeting all day long with students who were sent to them. There were also psychologists on campus and a crisis team. There seems to be some misinformation out there. The district is doing everything it can.
Please do not let this poor girls death go in vain. I hope all the kids will wake up and look around to see if there is anyone else among them that may be suffering. I think our community is too caught up in themselves and how to get ahead and does not want to acknowledge anyone who may be in pain or hurting. I think it’s wonderful that so many people have come out to help and support the family. I just wonder where were they when Allison was hurting.
SRV are providing services and keeping all of us informed. So Elizabeth please let’s not start blaming institutions or teachers for doing or not doing whatever you think should be done. It is up to us “the PARENTS” to now do the important work. I have started a conversation with my children about life’s possible “rollercoaster” during teen years. I remember as a teen being very upset some days and bouncing back the next. It can be an up and down adventure. If kids know this info, they can start to see a pattern. Mental illness is of course excluded from this pattern. I also have explained to my children that the most precious of all possessions is their lives. ALL religions (except extremist) have a similar view of life and suicide. I am very sad over this tragic event. It is disturbing and painful for me, let alone for the family. We are all going to hurt over this, but we as parents need to start a conversation with our children. Find the wisdom from your experiences and share it. Kids are like sponges. They want to hear bits of wisdom and insight. They tuck it away and build upon it with their own experiences. Keep that wisdom flowing for as long as possible.
Yes, this is very, very sad. What makes it even worse it that so many missed the signs. Allison didn’t wake up one day and decide to end her journey life. Too many missed the signs. I know what it is to loose a love one. The loss of a child is the most heartbreaking thing a parent will ever go through.
Too many missed the signs. I sincerely hope the ending of Allison’s journey of life open’s the eye’s of many.
A mom from Danville said to look at your children tonight and give them a hug. I would strongly suggest to not just look at your child, but TALK TO THEM AND LISTEN TO THEM – TALK TO THEM AND LISTEN TO THEM, they may be trying to tell you something.
Thank you, Julia from Alamo
Julia is being Julia – why don’t we let her comments pass and maybe she will leave this forum alone? As hard as it is, it seems to just encourage her.
@ A Mom, I can only go by what my son and his friends reported that represented their experience on Tuesday. They felts that students who spoke up and reached out were seen by counselors. In my experience, some students are more likely to shut down and may need more direct engagement.
I’m a marriage and family therapist, and though I practice on the Peninsula I thought I would share a resource that has been helpful to families in this community (they have had several teen suicides, unfortunately). Kara Grief Support (not including web link or phone number as I believe it violates terms of use) is an organization that offers support groups for all ages for survivors of another person’s suicide, as well as a summer camp for kids and teens that are grieving. I would imagine that there are similar resources in our beautiful community as well, but unfortunately I don’t know them as well.
The vigil last night was wonderful, and to see the kids in this community sharing their experience and comforting each other really demonstrates their compassion.
The loss and tragedy are unspeakable. Also having a family member lost to suicide I can tell parents and school administrators one thing; We must communicate that this decision of Alliy’s was WRONG. We need to protect the living now, and not glorify the dead. If one discusses suicide even in the context as an option, as alluded above, then the children may consider it an option. It’s WRONG, Alliy’s decision was WRONG. It’s an immoral and selfish act. If this message isn’t communicated directly then we risk another one. Each suicide in my high school was followed by at least one other, in another one it was followed by an agreed murder/suicide. (Two kids agreed to let one kill the other then himself).
It is not disrespectful to communicate her decision as immoral and wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_suicide
My heart goes out to this family and to our community of youth. This is so tragic. I am so sad that this young lady chose this as her answer to what was bothering her. As a mother of two children it just breaks my heart. I had a friend tell me this is an opportunity to talk to our children. and yes listen to them. Prayers and hugs to all.
Scrump’s comment is excellent. The schools need to be careful not glorify what this young lady did. Her actions have hurt so many people. There is no doubt that there is great sadness, but it must be tempered with a rejection of suicide and an understanding that such an action is cruel to family and friends.
At the Vigil last night the chaplain for the Sheriff’s Dept explained to us that what Allison had was an accident of the mind. It wasn’t the real Allyi we all knew, so please don’t judge her act as immoral and selfish. She did not know what she was doing.She was obviously in pain. It is time now to talk to our kids and reach out to one another. Kids at school need to respect each other, love one another and listen. My heart and prayers go out to her family, I cannot imagine what they are going through.
Many students (that didn’t even know Alliy) were brought to tears at the news. Prayers to the Bayliss family.
As an honor student (AP) and an Odyssey of the Mind student we would know her to be extremely bright and creative. Personally, I never much cared for the Odyssey of the Mind program. An orientation meeting I once attended gave me the creeps. However the program does have the capability of developing an extremely creative mind.
Why would a despondent suicidal individual even care to wear a bicycle helmet and moreover even care to lock their bike to a bicycle rack at Battery East before jumping from the GGB, unless they wanted it to be found? The Dublin Bart station surveillance video record further knows whether she was transporting a backpack, and the value of her ticket.
Consider that a SF Gate blogger posted the following message Tuesday afternoon well before authorities had even announced the change of status in their investigation on Wednesday morning.
timr
5:32 PM on May 24, 2011
This is spooky to consider but yesterday I was surfing Fort Point and believe I witnessed someone jump from the north east side of the bridge in the afternoon. A short while after seeing the unusual splash, someone dropped a flair (sic) from the top of the bridge into the sea. A few boats, including a Ferry, rushed over to the center span so I can only assume someone jumped. I Googled last night but couldn’t find anything. I truly hope this isn’t what happened and I’m only sharing if it helps family with search. I’m sad and sorry to post this comment. <EOM>
The IP address of this SF Gate blog poster should be obtained for further cooperative questioning. Either a flare was sent off from the bridge on Monday afternoon or it was not. If a flare was indeed sent off from the bridge then authorities must have belief that something did occur, but did not share it with the media. If a flare was not sent off why is someone attempting to give the appearance that something did indeed occur?
It is not my intent to encourage any false hope, it is that I just wouldn’t be satisfied until I turned over every last stone for my own peace of mind.
My prayers are with Allison Bayliss, her family and friends, and the community at large.
God bless.
Have you said i love you and hugged your children today?
we are given only so many tomorrows.
Why Danville Express are you censoring the postings? Many of the comments have [Portion removed] in them.
The portions removed were either speculating as to what the teen was thinking, which nobody can know, or laying blame, which is not appropriate in this context.
Good morning Gina,
My suggestion is to provide the readers and members/non-members who participate in the forums with a policy that indicates the restrictions and censorship the “Danville Weekly” enforces, such as your statement in which Freedom of Speech is not allow or tolerated and based on which press law are you censoring the postings and removing their comments.
As you perhaps know people are grieving and this events has caused them pain and suffering, and are using your paper to share their feelings with. SRVUSD is offering help to students in the schools with counseling, adults are coping alone.
Perhaps some audience of your paper wish to continue the search for the student. Her Flyer still in the National Missing Children’s page. As you know the news impacted the community, but they do not have closure because there is no confirmation of the remains, and the CHP said this is an ongoing “open” Investigation.
Pier
As far as the portions removed, don’t we have a freedom of speech in this country? We fight in wars ever day to keep that right. I agree that you should remove rude or hurtful comments, but I haven’t seen anything inappropriate here (thank goodness).
As for this typic…
Is it crazy to hold out hope? No body, no death?
I don’t know which is worse; knowing that she committed suicide and you will never be able to hug or talk to her again, or not knowing if she is alive or dead and wondering “what if” every day.
I don’t know this family, but I have talked to a lot of people who know them personally. Everyone agrees that this is a great family. I have heard wonderful things about a father who is very involved in the community and a daughter who is/was a bright and shining star; I just wish she knew that.
I saw the photo of her coming off the Bart, she looked normal as if there was nothing wrong. It is so easy to hide your misery and depression.
Everyone needs someone to lean on, someone to talk to, someone to love them. Please, be that person to someone today!
Gina, though I respect your right to remove portions of posts, your reasoning does not ring true regarding the portions removed from my comments – I would never speculate regarding this child’s or any other person’s motives, and I would blame no one in this situation or any other. I also wonder why you removed the portion where I clarified how I know the grief resource that I recommended to my neighbors on this forum. I would think that might be helpful to others to know the recommendation came from a clinical professional who cares about her neighbors and their children.
I am exceedingly heartened to see the outpouring of support from the community, especially as it relates to support for Alliy’s family and the children who knew her. Although we can’t know what led her to her heartbreaking decision, hugging and talking with our kids and being more kind to others as a daily practice can only make this a better community for all.
Why didn’t the school notify her parents when she didn’t show up to school on Monday. Don’t we have a truant officer or something like that. I thought that was why we are supposed to call when our children are going to be absent so the school won’t have to follow up on their absence. How awful to think that your child is safely at school only to find out hours later that they are missing. My heart breaks for the Bayliss family and for the kids at the high school.
Gina,
You are censoring because some “SPECULATION” of the readers??!)))
This entire tragidy is based on “SPECULATION” until they God willing find this poor girl!
You’re splitting hairs and determining which “SPECULATION” is acceptable? Tying to understand and discuss the state of mind of someone who is on the verge of suicide is critical at this moment.
Dear Gina,
Might I suggest that your commentators in this exchange pose questions rather than speculate on answers. At the present time, local and state authorities are continuing an open investigation to determine the result and cause of Allison Bayliss’ disappearance. As a responsible journalist, you have asked that commentators respect that investigation and asking questions for your further journalistic efforts is a rational effort by commentators and EMCEB.
I would further suggest that commentators concentrate on the impact on the Bayliss family and friends deeply distraught by events. Exchanges in the forum need to focus on service to those deeply hurt by the disappearance.
Thank you,
Hal
Censorship, good move Gina.
I have ceased ever clicking on anything to do with the Danville Express. Your censorship will result in parents not communicating to their kids the proper things that need to be said. Shame on you.
Dear Hal and Gina,
How dare you tell me or others what to focus on. You are not the moral or legal authority in this horrific situation.
While I agree you wanting to focus on the family, we also need to focus on the pressure teens face today so parents and peers can see the warning signs before its too late. The “answers” are part of that conversation. As a teenager, we all need to be aware of the behaviors and actions someone in distress is showing so we can help and notify school officials and parants.
Ignoring this discussion and telling others not to go there is irresponsible and unacceptable. This is the time where parants and teachers are sitting down with their kids and talking about this. That includes QUESTIONS and ANSWERS or “speculation.”
Parent: “Now stop right there young man! Don’t you dare speculate or ask me questions as to why someone would take their own life! Lets wait for the police investigation to conclude before we talk any further.” Get my drift Hal and Gina!
God bless this family. Lets all discuss this so we can hopefully prevent it with another distressed teen or adult. No matter how painful the answers or speculation may invoke, it may help other kids.
Charles: Thank you for your well written and thoughtful views and opinions. I tend to agree with you. Obviously, any inappropriate posting should be removed, in respect to the family. However, the use of censorship seems excessive in this matter, and Hal is the last person who should be giving anyone advice on anything. Lets pray for the family, and pray that our young people who are depressed or overwhelmed talk to a friend, a parent, a teacher, a counselor, a coach, a priest, or anyone, as open communication seems really important to anyone who feels isolated or depressed.
American, you and I often don’t see eye to eye on this forum but I agree with your sentiments and I thank you for your clear and thoughtful response to Charles’ excellent post. Well done.
For me, I think of a hierarchy of devastation related to grief. Those most in need of our thoughts and prayers are those most affected by the tragedy – Alliy’s family and close friends. Then there are Alliy’s peers, who are vulnerable in a unique way given the biological and emotional challenges at their ages – they are not yet “fully formed” and have greater difficulty processing this experience. Then there is the rest of us, many who are collectively sharing our experience and trying to figure out how to support those higher in this hierarchy. My son knew Alliy, as he was in a class with her this year. He is struggling to understand all this, and I’m treading new waters in how to help him.
My understanding is that the family has created a fund at Wells Fargo to continue to support causes that were important to Alliy. What amazing people, that in the course of their grief, they still honor what was important to their daughter and contribute to better lives for others.
My heart goes out to the parents and family of Allison. I would like to know why police have called off the ground search. There is no proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that she did jump. How do we know she isn’t in hiding somewhere or someone assisted her in making everyone think she committed suicide? All I’m saying is until her body is recovered all hope should not be giving up. Hopefully some miracle will happen and she will be found alive & safe.
Mark…………I agree with you 100%….she could have run off with someone for all we know.
Aside from the topic at hand, which is obviously emotionally charged, I do want to take issue with Gina’s censorship. I’m sorry Gina, but our Constitution allows us freedom of speech, and it defines us as a society, a right that we value highly. For you to pretend to know what we are allowed to hear, based on your interpretation, is a violation of my rights as an American.
You are wrong to think you can take that away from us; and there are many young men and women who have lost lives, limbs, relationships, and family members who will agree with me. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I CAN’T BELIEVE all of the people debating an issue which is NOT
what this is about , the loss of an individual and the grief and caring for the family and those around us and you all have to debate political ideologies at this time. Think ABOUT people about this moment in time not your petty statements of the world. This is about the loss a loved one . Debate somewhere else. Humans are so self centered, no we are so self absorbed that we only think of our selves no wonder the world thinks we are selfish. We cant even care about each other and especially the family and THEIR loss.
SHAM ON ALL OF YOU. THIS ISNT ABOUT YOU.
Actually Mark, I think that your comment is more self-centered then any other one here. There is nothing wrong with your opinion, but others have theirs, and it doesn’t have to be the same. One is not better than the other. I am proud to say that I have not read any negative comments here, just opinions, & that is fine. We live in America. Today is Memorial Day, let’s be proud that we have the right to our own opinions and have the freedom to speak. Thank you to all that serve and have served the USA to keep us free and safe!
As I mentioned previously, I have heard wonderful things about this family; and I am so sorry that they are dealing with this. I still pray that she is alive and well somewhere. I hope that this family can lean on each other during this difficult time; and that our community will stand by them and help wherever and whenever needed.