Michelle Young Cause of Death, and Obituary: What Happened to US Army Soldier?
Michelle Young, a US Army soldier and a popular fitness and fashion influencer on Instagram, died by suicide at the age of 34, her friends confirmed on Saturday. She left behind her 12-year-old daughter, Gracie, who was described as “her whole world” by her loved ones.
Who Was Michelle Young?
Michelle Young was a staff sergeant in the US Army, where she served for 16 years and completed two tours in Afghanistan. She was also a fitness and fashion enthusiast, who had over 100,000 followers on her Instagram account, where she modeled apparel from a female-veterans-focused athletic attire company. She was an advocate for better mental health treatment for veterans and a volunteer at her local shelter as a crisis trauma response volunteer.
Her friends and family were shocked and heartbroken by her sudden death, which they announced on a GoFundMe page set up to support her daughter. “Michelle was a beautiful soul, an amazing friend, a single mother, a soldier, and is proof you never know what someone is going through or what demons they may be fighting,” her friend Sarah Maine wrote on the page. “We will never fill the gaps in our hearts and will always be left with questions,” she added.
HERO DOWN!!!!
— Irish Angel Inc. (@BlueIrishAngel2) January 23, 2024
I have no words when I hear of a member of service that has taken her own life.
This beautiful young woman, Staff Sgt. Michelle Young lost the fight to the battle that raged on inside.
Michelle, was a beautiful, vibrant, successful Mother. She played such a vital… pic.twitter.com/IYan1ausXV
Maine also shared a touching tribute to Young on her own Instagram account, where she posted several photos and videos of their friendship. “From the outside looking in it looked like she had it all,” Maine wrote. “Mental illness is so prevalent especially in the military. We need to find a way to do better.”
A Loving Mother and Daughter
Michelle Young’s daughter, Gracie, was the center of her life, as evident from her social media posts. Just days before her death, Young had posted a birthday message for her daughter on Instagram, where she wrote: “Happy birthday to the sweetest girl I’ve ever known. The best part about my life is being your momma.”
US Army Staff Sgt. Michelle Young, a 34-year-old fitness influencer, tragically died by suicide, leaving behind her 12-year-old daughter.
— MrGolddust (@HermanLaylo13) January 23, 2024
With 16 years of service and two Afghanistan tours, she used her 100,000-strong Instagram platform to advocate for veteran mental health.… pic.twitter.com/C09DCwy3LM
Young and Gracie had a close bond and enjoyed spending time together, dressing up for Halloween, going on trips, and celebrating holidays. Young often praised her daughter for her achievements and talents, such as playing the piano, dancing, and doing gymnastics. She also thanked her daughter for being her motivation and inspiration.
Young’s mother, Debbie, also expressed her grief and love for her daughter and granddaughter on Facebook, where she posted a photo of them together. “My beautiful daughter and granddaughter. I love you both so much. Michelle, you are my angel now. Watch over us. Gracie, you are my sunshine. You make me smile every day. You are my world,” she wrote.
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A Struggle with Mental Health
Young had opened up about her struggle with mental health and the impact of losing her older brother to suicide when she was 14 years old. In September, she made a post for Suicide Prevention Week, where she shared her story and encouraged anyone in distress to reach out for help.
“I lost my brother to suicide when I was 14 years old. He was 18. It was the most devastating thing that ever happened to me. I blamed myself for a long time. I thought I could have done something to prevent it. I thought I could have saved him. I was wrong. Suicide is not a choice. It is a result of a mental illness that takes over your mind and makes you feel hopeless and worthless. It is not your fault. It is not their fault. It is a disease that needs to be treated,” she wrote.
She also urged people to check on their loved ones and to be kind and compassionate to others. “You never know what someone is going through. You never know what demons they are fighting. You never know how much your words or actions can affect them. Be kind. Be supportive. Be there for them. And if you are the one who is struggling, please know that you are not alone. You are not a burden. You are not weak. You are strong. You are brave. You are worthy. You are loved. And you can get through this. There is hope. There is help. There is a way out. Please reach out. Please don’t give up. Please stay,” she wrote.
According to the latest research by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and RAND Corporation:-
| Category | Number | Research Data Source |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans who die by suicide each year | More than 6,000 | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Suicide rate among veterans compared to general population | 1.5 times higher | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Active-duty service members who died by suicide in 2023 | 377 | Department of Defense |
| Reserve and National Guard members who died by suicide in 2023 | 194 | Department of Defense |
| Percentage of veterans who receive mental health care from VA | 30% | RAND Corporation |
A Call for Action
Michelle Young’s death has sparked a conversation about the need for more awareness and action on the issue of mental health and suicide prevention, especially among veterans and military personnel. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, and the suicide rate among veterans is 1.5 times higher than the general population.
Many of Young’s followers and fans have expressed their condolences and their gratitude for her positive influence on their lives. They have also called for more support and resources for veterans and anyone struggling with mental health issues. Some of them have shared their own stories and struggles, and have pledged to seek help and to help others.
I am at a loss of words and heartbroken regarding the tragic loss of Staff Sgt. Michelle Young. She had contacted me on Wednesday evening asking for assistance from my office. Our service member’s sacrifice so much for this country. As a society, we MUST do better at providing… pic.twitter.com/Vp2pt8hTRH
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 23, 2024
As of Monday, the GoFundMe page for Young’s daughter has raised nearly $25,000, surpassing its initial goal of $20,000. The funds will go directly to Gracie, who will be taken care of by Young’s mother. The page also provides information on how to donate to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations that Young supported and volunteered for.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line. You are not alone. You matter. You are worth living.
