Kristina Vlassenko

Kristina Vlassenko (2001-2011)

Kristina S. Vlassenko was 10 years old and had autism. Kristina was born on May 12, 2001 and was from Arvada, Colorado. On May 30, 2011 Kristina wandered away from her home and went missing. The next day on May 31, 2011, she was found drowned in a water-filled hole at a construction site near her home in Arvada, Colorado. Her parents are Serguei and Liliya Vlassenko.

Tribute to Kristina Vlassenko: Kristina was a wonderful and happy child and she and her family are originally from Russia. She attended Fremont Elementary School in Arvada where she made many friends. Kristina was kind and easily forgiving. She enjoyed music, dance and her family & friends. Kristina had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and be teased. She will be missed by all of her family and friends (From Obituary for Kristina Vlassenko).

Links about Kristina Vlassenko: 

Obituary:  Obituary for Kristina Vlassenko

Blogs: Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering

News: 

• Arvada Police Question Why Beacon Didn't Lead to Missing Girl's Body (Denver Post, June 1, 2011) 

• Body Found in Arvada is that of Missing Girl (CBS Denver, May 31, 2011) 

Alex Swigart

Alex Swigart, 12 Years

Alex Swigart was 12 years old and had autism. Alex Swigart died on April 2, 2011, at the age of 12, when his home near Bisbee Junction, Arizona caught on fire. Alex Swigart was the first in the family to smell smoke and he woke his father Joseph Swigart. This quick action probably saved the life of his father and his father's girlfriend who was in the house. In the chaos of the fire, Alex separated from his father and ran back into the house. He was found dead in the house after the fire was put out.

Links about Alex Swigart: 

Blogs: 

• Autism Light #128   

• Can-do-ability 

• Lives Lost to Autism 

• The Stir: Austic Boy Saves Family From Fire, But Dies

News:

• Autistic Boy, 12, Dies Saving His Father from Fire that Destroyed Their Home 

• Autistic Boy Dies in Mobile Home Fire Near Bisbee 

Memorial Page: 

• Alex Swigart Tribute Page on Facebook 

• Alex Swigart: Find a Grave Memorial