Newton Mourns Loss of Newton South Student

Newton South High School junior Roee Grutman died unexpectedly on Thursday morning.

Grutman’s death has saddened the city and brought back memories of two other high school students who have died in Newton this school year. Newton North senior Karen Douglas and Newton South sophomore Katie Stack took their lives in October. Newton held a community forum in the wake after the two girls’ suicides. 

Superintendent David Fleishman emailed parents on Thursday.

“The death of any young person is a terrible tragedy,” Fleishman wrote. “The shock of this loss is magnified by the deaths of two Newton students last fall.”

The schools will hold a community forum in the Newton South High School auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 “to help process the tragedies we have faced this year,” wrote Fleishman.

“I fully recognize that this is a very trying time for the city of Newton,” Fleishman wrote. “I am hopeful that together, we will provide the support, care, and kindness necessary to move forward.”