Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has died by suicide at the age of 26, his family announced. Donovan was a senior at the school when a gunman killed 17 people on February 14, 2018, an event that permanently reshaped his life and the lives of those around him.

In a statement, his family described the depth of their loss, saying Donovan “carried unimaginable sorrow” following the tragedy. “The loss of our family’s youngest child is a sorrow beyond words — one that will echo through our lives, forever,” they wrote, highlighting the long-term emotional toll the shooting had on him.

Donovan’s death has renewed conversations about the lasting impact of mass violence on survivors, particularly the mental health challenges that can persist long after public attention moves on. His story underscores the often unseen struggles faced by those who live through such trauma, and the ongoing need for sustained support and care.

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