Parkland shooting victim's family pays tribute to survivor who died by suicide

The family of a Parkland school shooting victim have paid tribute to her best friend, who took her own life last week after struggling with survivor's guilt and PTSD.

Sydney Aiello, who survived the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, died by suicide on March 17.

The 19-year-old's best friend, Meadow Pollack, was one of the 17 people who lost their lives when a gunman entered the Florida high school and opened fire.

After the news of Sydney's death was confirmed to media on Friday, members of Meadow's family have paid tribute to the teenager.

Speaking to The Miami Herald, father Andrew Pollack reflected on the "terrible" turn of events.

"[My] heart goes out to those poor, poor parents ... Meadow and Sydney were friends for a long, long time," Mr Pollack, who has become an advocate for gun control since his daughter's death, said.

“If anyone feels like that they have no one that can understand their pain, if there’s any student out there that’s having a hard time, please reach out to me on Twitter.

"I understand you. You aren’t alone.”

Meadow's brother Hunter also voiced his heartbreak on Twitter after Sydney was laid to rest.

"It was devastating to bury another beautiful young person in Parkland today," he wrote on Friday.

"Our community is going through tragedy again ... Rest in peace, Sydney. Please take care of my sister."

In another tweet sharing the link to a GoFundMe page set up in Sydney's memory, he added, "Beautiful Sydney with such a bright future was taken from us way too soon."

Speaking to CBS Miami on Friday, Sydney's mother said she had suffered survivor's guilt and had been diagnosed with PTSD in the wake of the shooting.

She also said her daughter struggled to attend her university classes because she was scared to be in a classroom.

On Monday, it was reported a second student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had died in an apparent suicide.

The student, who has not been publicly identified, was enrolled at the school at the time of the shooting.

However, it is not known whether their death could be linked to the tragedy.

Members of the Parkland community have voiced their grief over the two deaths on social media.

"Two MSD survivors took their own lives this week. This isn’t political, these are OUR KIDS! Our most precious commodities," Meadow's father tweeted.

Student turned gun reform activist David Hogg asked, "How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government / school district to do anything?"

If you are struggling, or someone you know is, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14