KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
His parents remembered their son’s warm heart, caring nature and love of music, ahead of Friday evening’s memorial service for 19-year-old Kyle Carranza, of Saugus.
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Kyle’s mother, Kimberlee Joy Carranza, will never forget her son’s singing.
“He would sing Elton John love songs to me,” she said. “He loved music.”
But Carranza was much more than just an avid musician, his family said, explaining that he stood up for his friends and looked out for those he saw in need.
At a talent show, he once calmed his performance partner before they sang on stage.
“(She) was scared before the show, and he really helped her get through it,” his father, Pericles Carranza, said. “She was almost in tears, and he was able to calm her. … When somebody was getting bullied he always helped. (A classmate’s younger sister) was getting bullied by the girls at school for the whole year.
“Kyle would actually wait for her and walk home with her.”
However, he’d also been struggling for some time before his death April 3 on the 210 Freeway, which medical examiners reported as a suicide.
“That’s something I hope happens to no other,” Pericles Carranza said, regarding the loss of his son.
Despite Kyle’s challenges, including bipolar disorder, he overcame a number of obstacles to finish his high school education at Bowman High School.
“He was able to complete all his assignments in a week,” his father said. “So they gave him an award at Bowman at the ceremony.”
Kyle also received treatment for substance abuse and mental health concerns, and his parents knew he was hurting.
But after finishing up at Bowman, Kyle began to distance himself from those trying to help him, his father said.
And after Kyle turned 18, his father felt as though there was little he could do.
His mother offered a tragic caution to others who might have concerns about a loved one’s mental health.
“You don’t hear until afterwards,” said Kimberlee Carranza. “Anything subtle, people need to take it seriously… Kyle cried out for help — it wasn’t even just once or twice.”
The Carranza family is holding a memorial service Friday, April 21 at Grace Baptist Church in Saugus. The church is located at 22833 Copper Hill Drive, Santa Clarita.
Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:
1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
Hugs of support to this family as they struggle to deal with Kyle’s passing. I’ve been there, and have made improving mental health awareness my goal through the foundation, SRD~ Straightening Reins, we started after losing my 15 year old daughter. ????????
I’m so sorry about your loss…????. My sister suffered from a mental disorder as well and she struggled till the end… it is a very sad and difficult to understand at times… But the struggle is Always there. I would like to know more about your organization as I also try my best to raise awareness and erase some of the stigma attached to mental health disorder. I know for a fact that individuals like my sister as well as your young and beautiful daughter need as much help and support as they can get. Hugs and blessings to you and yours. Elva
I’m so sorry for your (all above) losses. I have struggled with my mood disorders for 60 years and it is still challenging even after years of therapy and medication. Sadly my son suffers from biologic and neurologic brain conditions (Mental Illness) as well and is in a place of refusing all treatment and distancing himself from those around him. We have been at this juncture many times before where I worry about getting ‘that call’. Because he is an adult, I no longer have the ability to take him to Dr. appointments, force medication, or influence him in anyway. Our mental health care system and services are woefully inadequate. May is Mental Health month. I highly recommend going to the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) website. They provide a wealth of information and support. There are local support groups in Santa Clarita for peer to peer groups and for the families of loved ones with mental illness. They offer a twelve week evening class called Family to Family. It is designed to help significant others, siblings, children, and parents with a loved one(s) with mental illness. In this class I learned to understand my feelings for raising a loved one with mental illness were normal. I learned about the stages from crisis to advocacy, and so much more. All the classes and support groups through NAMI are free of charge. We absolutely need to smash the stigma of mental illness and bring the discussion into every day conversations. I will look into SRD, as well. Thank you for your comments and sharing your stories. Hugs to you all.
Rest in peace Kyle. Too young to be gone. May your family find the strength to carry on and accomplish things in your name for people in need of help. Prayers.
My heart breaks for this family. More needs to be done to identify mental illness as early as possible in children and adolescents. Parents need to be taken seriously when they voice concerns about their child’s behavior or labile moods that fall outside the realm of ‘normal’ childhood or teenage behavior.
Dear Family of Kyle, There are so many who are sending you thoughts and prayers…
I personally can not even think of what your are going through right now… Poor Kyle must have been living in his own personal hell of Biopolar disorder. Please dear God help these amazing young people who have Biopolar disorder to find peace!!!
God’s loving angels are with you now to help you through these trying days.
RIP Kyle and prayers to your family
Kyle… you will be missed! Prayers to the family…