NEWS

Ohio family loses 2nd teen son to suicide

Diane Smith | (Kent) Record-Courier
Colton Michalec, 16, a sophomore at Waterloo High School in northeastern Ohio, took his own life Sunday, according to his family. HIs older brother, Austin, who also struggled with depression, took his own life nearly seven years ago. [ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO ]

Funeral arrangements have been made and a fundraising effort launched for a northeastern Ohio family that has lost a second son to suicide on Sunday.

Diane Michalec reported on Facebook Sunday that her son, Colton, had taken his own life. Colton Michalec, 16, was a 10th-grader at Waterloo High School.

The Brimfield Police Department is reportedly investigating, and could not be immediately reached.

Waterloo High School Principal Lori Sandel said counselors were at the school throughout the day Monday and some would remain there for the rest of the week. No vigils have yet been planned at the school “as the students spent most of the day just processing this horrible tragedy,” she said. Counselors were reportedly also available at Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna, where some of Colton’s friends attend school.

It’s the second time Michalec and her husband, Chris, have lost a child to suicide. On June 2, 2011, Austin Michalec, 15, who was a freshman at Waterloo High School, took his own life.

In the years since Austin’s death, the Michalec family hosted events to raise awareness of depression and suicide.

In her Facebook post on Sunday, Colton’s mother reported that her son, like his brother, had suffered from depression and had “passed from suicide.”

A post on the Waterloo High School page said Colton’s funeral will take place on Saturday.

A Gofundme page has been set up for the Michalec family. All donations over and above funeral expenses will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.