21-year-old former SPHS student identified as victim of suicide from fatal train collision

Written by Brandon Yung
Online Managing Editor

Image via Google Plus

At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, a woman stepped onto the Metro Gold Line tracks in South Pasadena before a southbound train, resulting in a fatal collision. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office confirmed yesterday the identity of the woman and ruled the incident as a suicide. The death marked the second suicide that has occurred on a Gold Line track in South Pasadena.

The coroner’s office identified the woman as Chloe Plotnikov, a 21-year-old South Pasadena resident and former South Pasadena High School student who attended in 2013.

Photography and visual arts teacher Rouzanna Berberian remembers Plotnikov as a talented artist. Working alone, Plotnikov produced work expressive of her passion for creativity. On the wall in the art room hangs a color wheel arranged into the shapes of a chess board and pieces that the former student made. Berberian used Plotnikov’s work as examples for her students for years after Plotnikov left the pieces in class.

“She always had a good smile on her face,” Berberian said, remembering the girl in her art class.

Plotnikov’s family has since been contacted, according to South Pasadena Watch Commander Craig Phillips. Teachers and counselors who knew Plotnikov mourn her loss, recalling her positive presence and involvement in Tiger Links, a program that helped acquaint underclassmen with life at the high school. 

6 Replies to “21-year-old former SPHS student identified as victim of suicide from fatal train collision”

  1. Lisa M Charkatz

    Chloe was a sweet young woman. My daughter was a good friend of her’s in High School. Our family sends our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and the SPHS faculty. RIP Chloe.❤️

  2. Shane Stefano

    Chloe was so sweet! I loved how she smiled and laughed when I danced like a goof ball , I miss and loved her hugs . She would always ask how you were doing, Chloe had so much talent with singing and drawing, her favorite band was blink 182, she liked to walk barefoot not with shoes, she would play ukulele. I am shocked and heartbroken and sad that she is gone but she is with us in spirit and in our hearts ❤️ I am so glad I met her and talked with her, had great memories with Chloe. I miss her a lot and I love her a lot, I hope I get to see you one day and hopefully I’ll dream about you. Rest In Peace sweetheart, I will never forget you and the place won’t ever be the same without you, thank you for being you, there won’t ever be a Chloe like you. I can’t wait to hear more memories about you with people who cared/loved you ❤️

  3. Bethany

    This truly breaks my heart even though I didn’t know her. My deepest condolences to her family. Did she leave any type of note?

  4. Susan Bays

    Yes, Chloe was a lovely, free-spirited soul! Also, she attended SPHS from 2010 – 2013 and graduated from Options for Youth.

  5. Natasha Prime

    Chloe was a wonderful human being who touched all of those who knew her. She will forever be in our hearts.

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