‘My heart just broke’: Maine community shaken by death of 18-year-old who battled adversity
Sam Mercer took his own life on Friday.
There will be additional counselors on hand at a Maine high school Monday to help students grieving the death of a classmate who took his own life last week, the Portland Press Herald reports. Sam Mercer, an 18-year-old senior at Scarborough High School, died Friday, according to the newspaper. The Press Herald profiled the teen, who was born in Ethiopia and had to have his leg amputated due to an infection as an infant, in December. He was adopted by parents in Colorado when he was 6, but they gave him up after three years. According to the newspaper, he bounced around foster care for the ensuing years until he moved to Scarborough last year after being adopted by resident Dan Mercer. “Sam’s super power was his ability to inspire people,” Mercer’s adoptive father told the Press Herald after his son’s death. “He was a survivor. He was loved by everyone. He resonated with people because of his disability and how he approached it.”Mercer announced his son’s death on Facebook on Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10160191175185394&set=a.10151408446660394.828068.727945393&type=3
According to the Press Herald, the teen texted a friend shortly before he died Friday indicating his decision to take his own life. She told her parents, who contacted Mercer — who was driving back to Maine from Boston. Scarborough police responded to his home, but it was too late, according to the newspaper.
“My heart just broke,” Anthony Griffin, 17, who was one of Sam’s closest friends told the Press Herald, “It was such a surprise and a shock. I hate that it happened.”
The teen, who was passionate about cooking and music, was a member of the high school’s wrestling team and well known for his role as manager of the football team, according to the newspaper.
“Sam became a member of our football family in September as the team manager,” the high school’s football boosters wrote on Facebook. “He brought encouragement to all of the players and we were all extremely touched by his incredible spirit and his captivating smile. He quickly became our friend and will live in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace Sam, Red Storm #34.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Mercer’s memorial and funeral. In 14 hours, more than $7,500 had been raised toward the $10,000 goal, with dozens of people sharing memories of the 18-year-old in comments on the page.
“Sam always had words of encouragement, a smile at the ready, and advice for his teammates,” Leanne Kazilionis wrote. “His perseverance and determination on and off the wrestling mat were inspiring. Our world is a better place for knowing him and he will be greatly missed.”
Doug Shofner wrote that words couldn’t express what the 18-year-old meant to the Scarborough community.
“We are all better off having known him,” he wrote. “He inspired just by being himself. An amazing young man and he will be missed beyond anything imaginable. I hope that his positive vibes continue to inspire.”
Read the full report at the Press Herald.
