Lauren Grace Liu had plenty to be proud of at just 14 years old. She was earning straight A’s, playing varsity tennis and enjoying activities that made her happy. Her parents saw a daughter who brought warmth and laughter into their home and showed genuine concern for the people around her. But there was another side to her life that remained largely unseen. Lauren was struggling with depression, and on October 30, 2017, she died by suicide at her home in Short Hills, New Jersey.
Lauren was a freshman at Kent Place School in Summit. She quickly established herself as a promising student and athlete, earning straight A’s during her first trimester. She also secured a starting position on the school’s varsity tennis team and helped the team win its first state championship. Her achievements made her a familiar name in the school’s athletic community.
Her interests extended well beyond academics and sports. Lauren loved skiing and regularly joined her family on trips to Snowbird, Utah. She was comfortable taking on difficult mountain runs, including double-black-diamond trails and off-trail routes. Her parents remembered her excitement on the slopes and had been looking forward to another family skiing trip.
She also had a strong connection to dance. Lauren’s parents described her as a passionate performer who expressed herself through graceful movements. They particularly remembered watching her dance to John Legend’s “All of Me.” It was one of those personal memories that stayed with them long after she was gone.
Despite the happiness she appeared to bring into other people’s lives, Lauren was dealing with serious emotional pain. Her parents, James and Helen Hurh Liu, revealed the family’s heartbreaking news in her obituary, explaining that she had been privately battling depression. They described the condition as a silent illness and acknowledged that the depth of her suffering had not been fully understood by those around her.
Her parents also spoke about the qualities that made Lauren special to them. She was gentle, thoughtful and naturally concerned about other people. They remembered how she often put others first and how her laughter could brighten their home. Since she was an infant, making her laugh had been one of their greatest pleasures. They called it her “belly laugh,” a memory that became especially precious after her death.
Lauren’s passing also brought attention to the importance of recognizing depression among young people. Her family chose to speak openly about her struggle rather than keep it private. Their announcement highlighted a difficult reality: good grades, athletic achievements and a cheerful personality do not necessarily mean that someone is free from emotional distress.
Lauren was survived by her parents, James and Helen Hurh Liu, and her brother, David. Her grandparents were Soo and Sook Hurh and Ken and Tracy Liu. Her aunts and uncle included Tae and Regina Kim and Elaine Liu, while her cousin was Penny Kim. The family announced a vigil for November 3, 2017, at Renaissance Church in the Summit Opera House, followed by a celebration of life on November 4 at Community Congregational Church in Short Hills.
Her family also established the Hope for Lauren Foundation to help children experiencing depression and mental illness. Its goals include supporting affected children and families, funding clinical and biomedical research into depression, promoting suicide prevention awareness and helping families who have lost loved ones to suicide. The family requested memorial contributions to the foundation in place of flowers.
Eight years later, on October 31, 2025, James K. Liu shared another remembrance of his daughter. His message reflected on the passage of time while celebrating Lauren’s kindness, smile and lasting place in the hearts of those who loved her. It encouraged people to honor her memory by showing compassion and reminding others that they matter.
Lauren’s story remains a deeply personal reminder of the challenges families can face when a young person is struggling with depression. She was remembered not simply for her academic and athletic achievements, but for her kindness, creativity, laughter and the love she gave to others. Through the Hope for Lauren Foundation, her family’s efforts to raise awareness and support other children continue to form an important part of her legacy.
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