The last thing that 16-year-old Liv Teverino shared on social media was a carousel of images from the months before school started, captioned “summer was sweet.”
Only 12 days after it was posted on September 6, comments went from “you’re the cutest ever” to “rest in peace in angel.”
The Marietta High School junior, who’s described as a “positive light,” died tragically on September 18 after her car crashed into a tree and burst into flames, trapping her inside.
The community of Marietta, Georgia is mourning the death of the gorgeous young woman, Liv Teverino, who was killed in a single vehicle car crash about 5:30 p.m. on September 18.
The 16-year-old, a scholar, athlete and community leader, was found by emergency officers, trapped in her 2016 Volovo XC90 that was “engulfed in flames” after it struck a tree less than one mile from her school.
“Once the fire was extinguished, they located the driver, now identified as sixteen-year-old Liv Teverino of Marietta trapped within the vehicle. Teverino did not survive the crash,” Marietta Police Department said.
Trying to resolve their heartbreaking loss, family and her tight-knit group of friends collected and mourned at a memorial of flowers and messages–built mostly of yellow, her favorite color–at the site of the crash, and at the school’s parking lot, where Liv usually parked her car.
Family friend Carla Manuel said Liv was “just the all-American kind of girl,” who was loved by everyone. “She was such a sweet girl…She was a shining star,” Manuel said. “She would go out of her way to help everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, she just always gave of herself. She’s gone too soon, way too soon.”
Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin, whose granddaughter was a close friend of Liv’s, knew the young woman since she was in elementary school. “We know she had a bright future,” Tumlin said. “She had a bright presence, her sweet, beautiful presence touched our city and everybody she met.”
Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera said that Liv–a Cobb Youth Leadership Cohort–excelled at everything she did, “leaving an indelible mark of excellence.” Rivera writes in a statement, “We don’t just recall her achievements but the heart, spirit, and determination with which she achieved them.”
Liv, part of the Marietta High School International Baccalaureate Programme, was also a member of the state champion cross country team. Her coach, Jack Coleman, said she was an exemplary athlete who always supported to her teammates.
“There’s athletes, and then there’s great people, and she’s a great person,” Coleman said, adding that a recent ankle injury kept her out of the Cobb County Cross Country Championships the weekend before her death. But she was still there cheering on the team. “Liv was just a positive light on the team, just always so, so positive about everything on our team.”
Meanwhile, friends are pouring in with messages of grief on social media.
One friend, Payton Konop, who plays varsity volleyball at Marietta High School, writes a heartwarming tribute in honor of her friend, whom she says, “was the most kind, beautiful, loving, and Christ filled girl you could meet.”
“I feel like everyone expects us to say that, but there truly wasn’t a negative or judgmental bone in her body. She was there for me through everything. The bestest friend who always knew what to say.” Payton continues, “She was creative and smart, always scoring higher than me on every test. I’m gonna miss the way she loved so deeply. Her kind soul that got taken home too soon.”
Friends commented on her post, sharing in her sadness and deep love for Liv. “Payton, this was perfect. Her joyous heart lives within all of us forever. I love you SO much, and I’m here for you, beautiful,” writes one, and another says, “i love you so much pay, always here for you! i miss that sweet angel.”
Liv’s last Instagram post was September 6, and the photos from her summertime fun clearly illustrate her loving, fun and sweet personality. The images show her spending time with friends and family, a giraffe, and one where she appears on the street with a boot on her left foot, the injury that kept her from competing.
“liv you didn’t deserve to go out the way you did i’m so sorry. rest in peace you were the sweetest person ever,” writes one friend, while a second shares, “rest in peace angel.”
Liv leaves behind her parents Scot and Beth Teverino, and her brothers Luke and Brendan.
Liv Teverino was such a beautiful young woman with a promising future ahead. We are so sad to hear of her tragic passing and hope her loved ones find some peace knowing the influence she had on everyone she met.
Rest in peace, Liv!
Please share this story and help Liv’s legacy live!
If you want to read about another high school student who made a huge difference in her short life, check out this story about the 16-year-old who died at cheer camp.
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