Crime & Safety

Agoura High Senior Commits Suicide

Dan Behar, 17, committed suicide, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and school district officials.

An Agoura High School senior committed suicide early Monday afternoon when he intentionally drove his car off Piuma Road near Cold Canyon Road and crashed, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said.

Dan Behar, 17, died in the single-vehicle crash that sparked a small brush fire at about 12:15 p.m., said Sgt. Dan Nagelmann of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.

The blaze was extinguished less than an hour later, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Behar sent out a mass text to fellow students, saying goodbye and telling them where they could find his body, Nagelmann said.

One of the students dialed 911 to tip off authorities about the text, he said.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a statement that was released to all students Tuesday morning, Agoura High Principal Larry Misel wrote:

To the Students:

As many of you have heard, we have lost Agoura High School Student Dan Behar, who has taken his own life. As you can imagine, this is extremely difficult for everyone but especially for his immediate family. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Dan's family and friends. It is important for you to know that there are counselors available for support throughout the day. Students needing to talk are invited to come to the "G" Building. Counselors will be there throughout the day on Tuesday. Please help anyone else who might need extra support to reach out to a counselor or to let a teacher or a counselor know so we can help.

Counselors from both Agoura and Calabasas high schools will be on site in Agoura on Tuesday to help students deal with the crisis, said Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent Donald Zimring.

Behar's friends have posted an open Facebook page, "In Memory of Dan Behar."

Students will hold a vigil on campus at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Behar's memory.


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