Turpin High School, part of the Forest Hills Local School District in Anderson Township, is mourning the loss of one of its students. The unidentified student was sadly confirmed dead on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. This tragic event has left the school community and the entire district heartbroken.
Announcement of the Tragic News
The news of the student’s death was confirmed by Superintendent Larry Hook in a message sent to all district families at approximately 8:14 a.m. on October 4, 2023. The devastating news has left the Turpin community and the entire school district in deep sorrow.
Dear Forest Hills Families,
It is with deep sadness that I’m writing to share with you information about the death of one of our students. We learned this morning that a Turpin High School student passed away. This is obviously devastating news to the Turpin community and the entire school district. This tragedy will surely touch many students and staff members, and may leave parents searching for ways to communicate with their children and ways to help them cope with their grief.
Please respect the privacy of this student’s family and keep them in your thoughts. We are working to provide resources and support to them at this time.
The district is also implementing a variety of additional supports for students and staff who might need help navigating this difficult time. The Turpin High School administration is working closely with our district TECIP team to respond to this unimaginable tragedy. TECIP stands for Traumatic Event Crisis Intervention Plan and it guides our plans to better meet the psychological and emotional needs of all people impacted by events like this. We have additional counseling staff in Turpin High School today and will offer additional support to anyone who needs it throughout the next couple of weeks. We also have therapists from our community partner, Child Focus, supporting our students.
The TECIP team at Wilson Elementary is also responding to this loss and all school buildings are prepared to support students who may be impacted. Anyone who is struggling with this news can reach out to their school counselor to be connected with necessary resources.
If you would like information on ways you can help your children through their grief, we have provided grief resources on the district website home page () and the Turpin High School home page, both under the “News” heading. Additional resources may be found by clicking these links: “How to help a grieving child” from Fernside Center for Grieving Children.
This guide offers tips on how to talk with your children, recognize signs of depression and help your children through any difficult situations they may be experiencing. It also lists phone numbers for Hamilton County resources. Particularly in times of tragedy, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining open and on-going communication with children.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy of this student’s family, we are waiting to provide any additional information in accordance with their requests. I know our community will come together to support each other during this difficult time. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Larry R. HookSuperintendent
Previous Incidents at Turpin High School
This tragedy is not the first to strike Turpin High School. In 2019, the school community was shaken when two students took their own lives within a week of each others. These incidents led to a heightened focus on mental health at the school.
Community Reaction and Support
The community is understandably in shock and mourning. Previous incidents of suicides at the school sparked concern and conversation about mental health and suicide prevention3. In times like these, support from the community and a focus on mental health are crucial.
In Memory of Lost Students
Turpin High School remembers its lost students through obituaries and memoriams. These memories serve as reminders of the young lives that were tragically cut short and stress the importance of providing necessary support to students.
The loss of a student is a tragedy that impacts the entire community. As Turpin High School mourns this loss, it is important to remember the value of community support, mental health awareness, and open conversation during these difficult times.
