17-year-old who made viral laser-cat yearbook photo commits suicide

NEW YORK (WITI) -- High school senior, Draven Rodriguez, better known as the kid who took an 80's themed portrait with his cat and became an internet sensation, has died of an apparent suicide.

According to WPIX, this was confirmed by Rodriguez's parents, who spoke with the Times Union.

17-year-old Rodriguez grew internet fame back in September when he requested to take the unique photo with his cat, Mr. Bigglesworth, for the yearbook.



The photo was originally not approved. But according to a spokesperson for Schenetady High School, after an online petition gathered several thousand signatures, school officials were on board with the wacky portrait -- but under one condition: the principal wanted to join in the portrait, along with her dog, Vivan.

Jonathan Stewart, Rodriguez's father, told the Times Union his son "had friends all over the country -- people he'd met at youth-leadership conferences, online, just around town. He wasn't trying to stir things up with it."

Rodriguez's father says his son wanted his yearbook picture to be silly, "because he had a great sense of humor."