Family says Scarlett Durden collapsed at home after opening presents; school offers prayers and support.
PIEDMONT, Ala. — A Piedmont High School sophomore died on Christmas morning after collapsing at home shortly after opening gifts, her family said. The teen, identified by relatives as Scarlett Durden, 16, was found unresponsive and emergency crews were called, but she did not survive.
Durden’s death struck a tight-knit city during a holiday week when schools and offices are largely quiet. Piedmont High confirmed the student’s passing and offered condolences to her family, while relatives described a sudden medical crisis that left them stunned. Loved ones said there is a family history of heart problems, and the family plans to have Durden’s heart examined. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated through a local funeral home. The loss has prompted tributes from classmates and teachers and a broad outpouring of support across Calhoun County.
According to her mother, Janice Durden, Scarlett had finished opening presents and walked toward a pantry when she collapsed. “My youngest ran to get me and said something was wrong,” the mother said in a media interview. She called 911 as family members attempted to help. Paramedics responded, but the teen could not be revived. Relatives described Scarlett as “goofy and loving,” quick to make others smile and eager to join the military after graduation. An aunt, Heather Stich, said the family wants doctors to examine Scarlett’s heart to see whether her death could inform future care for others.
Piedmont High School officials posted condolences and said they were praying for the family. Friends left messages recalling classroom jokes, band rehearsals, and football Friday nights where Scarlett cheered on classmates from the stands. An online obituary lists her birth date as Oct. 18, 2009, and her date of death as Dec. 25, 2025. The family said there is a history of heart-related deaths among relatives, and Scarlett’s father is awaiting a heart transplant, but they stressed that the exact cause of her collapse has not been determined. The family requested privacy as they make arrangements and await more medical information.
Durden had recently moved to Piedmont and enrolled at the high school this fall, according to posts shared by family and friends. The city of roughly 4,400 sits along the foothills of northeast Alabama, where the high school is a central gathering place for students and families. Unexpected losses have resonated across Alabama communities during the holiday period, and local counselors and youth leaders said schools typically see increased grief support needs when tragedies occur during breaks, when students are apart from their routines and support networks.
Funeral services are being planned through Miller Funeral Home, according to the obituary page, with additional details to be announced by the family. School leaders said they will provide information about counseling resources when classes resume after the New Year. Any formal medical findings would come through standard postmortem review, which can take days or weeks, depending on laboratory testing. Family members said they will share updates about memorial events and any scholarship or charitable efforts made in Scarlett’s name once plans are finalized.
Neighbors and classmates brought flowers and cards to the family’s home and posted memories online. “We’re not supposed to bury our babies,” her mother said, adding that her focus is making sure Scarlett’s sisters remember their time with her. A classmate described her as someone who “never let a friend sit alone at lunch.” Another friend wrote that Scarlett was “the first to welcome new students,” reflecting a spirit that friends said defined how she lived.
As of Wednesday, the school community remained in mourning, with tributes planned into the weekend and updates on services expected in the coming days. Officials said additional information about grief counseling will be shared when students return next week. The family’s next steps include memorial planning and awaiting any medical findings that could clarify why the teen collapsed so suddenly.
Author note: Last updated December 31, 2025.