Bryan McKinney

Bryan McKinney, 27 Years

Bryan McKinney was 27 years old and had autism. He was from Wenatchee, Washington. Bryan went missing from the Tillicum Beach RV Park in Oregon on December 17, 2014.  His body was discovered on a beach near Florence, Washington on December 26, 2014.

Links about Bryan McKinney: 

News:

• Missing: Wenatchee Man Vanishes from Oregon Coast Campground (Oregon Live) 
• Missing Case in Washington Ends in Tragedy (Autism Speaks)

Jayden Morrison

Jayden Morrison (2010-2014)

Jayden Morrison was 4 years old and had autism. Jayden was from White Plains, New York.  Jayden Morrison had been visiting family in Little River, South Carolina for the holiday and he wandered away on Christmas Eve. After 3 days of searching his body was found drowned in a nearby pond on December 26, 2014.  His parents are Andre and Tabatha Morrison.

Tribute:

"I know he's in a better place. Life is better for him. He's probably talking it up now and loving that he can talk (Andre Morrison, Jayden's Father)."

Rev. Trollinger at funeral for Jayden Morrison: "Where Jayden is transitioning to who knows how many lives he will change."
— Autism Speaks (@autismspeaks) January 3, 2015

Links about Jayden Morrison: 

News:

• Missing Autistic boy Jayden Morrison is found dead in pond (Daily Mail)
• Body of Missing 4 year-old Autistic Boy, Jayden Morrison, Found in Pond (NBC News) 
• Parents Discuss coping with loss of 4 year-old son Jayden Morrison 
• Family Mourns Autistic Boy Found Dead in Pond (USA Today)
• Final Farewell for Young Jayden Morrison (Autism Speaks)

Brandon Cramer

Brandon Cramer (1973-2014)

Brandon Lloyd Cramer was 41 years old and had autism. Brandon was born on March 11, 1973 in Los Angeles and lived in Santa Monica, California. He lived independently for 17 years. Brandon died in his sleep of unknown causes on November 24, 2014. Brandon's mother is Amalia Starr.

The following is a video of the Memorial Service for Brandon called Remembering Brandon.

Tribute to Brandon Cramer: "He tried so hard in many ways to help people and befriended so many people. He helped out and pitched in any way he could (Jerry Rubin, Close Friend of Brandon's)."

Memorial held today for Brandon & it was extraordinary! Tons of people saying how much they loved my son firemen, policemen, and merchants.

— Amalia Starr (@AutismMomExpert) December 8, 2014

Links about Brandon Cramer: 

News/Opinions: 

• Santa Monica Promenade Mourns Loss of Regular (Santa Monica Lookout, December 4, 2014)  

• Public Memorial Tribute Set for December 7 for Santa Monica Resident Brandon Cramer (Santa Monica Mirror, November 28, 2014) 

• What Brandon and Amalia Teach Us About Love, Honesty and Parenting a Special Needs Child (The Art of Autism, December 7, 2014)

London McCabe

London McCabe, 6 Years

London McCabe was 6 years old and had autism. He was from Waldport, Oregon, where he was a kindergartner at Crestview Heights School. London McCabe died on November 3, 2014, when his mother allegedly threw him over the Yaquina Bay Bridge near Seal Rock, Oregon.

Michelle Nathan @b0ym0m Perry: Why London McCabe's death matters #autism #JusticeforLondon http://t.co/Zshu0G7B61
— IN Fed. of Families (@Indiana_FFCMH) November 15, 2014

Links about London McCabe: 

News:

• Candlelight Vigils Planned for London McCabe (Lincoln County Dispatch, November 5, 2014) 

• Jill McCabe Was Overwhelmed Before Autistic Son's Fatal Plunge (NBC News, November 5, 2014) 

• Mommy Blogger Throws Autistic Son off Bridge: Cops (NYPost.com, November 4, 2014)

Opinions:

• Why London McCabe's Death Matters (David W. Perry, CNN.com, November 10, 2014) 

• The Heartbreaking Death of Autistic Kindergartner London McCabe (Autism Daily NewsCast, November 17, 2014) 

Statements from Autism Organizations: 

• Autism Society Statement on the Death of London McCabe (Autism Society of America)  

• Statement on the Murder of London McCabe (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) 

Dyasha Phelps Smith

Dyasha Phelps Smith, 21 Years

Dyasha Phelps Smith was 21 years old and had autism. Dyasha lived in Brooklyn, New York and choked on a muffin on October 28, 2014, while eating her lunch in her special education classroom at the School for International Studies on Baltic St. in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Her mother is Catherine Smith.

Links about Dyasha Phelps Smith : 

Blogs: 

• Age of Autism, RIP Dyasha Smith 

News:

• Brooklyn Student Chokes to Death on Muffin
• NYC Student Dies after Choking at Brooklyn School
• Autistic Student at Brooklyn School Chokes to Death: Officials
• Trinidadian Immigrant Wants Answers After Child Chokes to Death

Jahmaine Reihana

Jahmaine Terry Reihana, 5 Years

Jahmaine Reihana was five years old and had autism. Jahmaine lived in Foxton in New Zealand. On September 24, 2014, Jahmaine wandered away from supervision and climbed into a water tank on his family's property. He removed the manhole cover and then fell in and drowned. Because of this accident parents are being warned about checking the maintenance of water tanks to see if they have older covers that children could remove.

Links about Jahmaine Reihana: 

News: 

• Autistic Boy Wandered Off and Drowned in Water Tank (New Zealand Herald, Regan Schoultz, June 2, 2015) 

• Child 'with no fear' Drowned After Falling into Water Tank, says Coroner (Manawata Standard, Jona Galuzska, June 2, 2015)

Charlie Laake Birely

Charlie Laake Birely (2003-2014)

Charlie Laake Birely was 11 years old and had autism. Charlie was from Stuart, Florida. Charlie Birely died on Sunday, August 31, 2014, when the houseboat where his family lived caught fire on the St. Lucie River and was engulfed quickly in flames. Other members of the family were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but Charlie died in the tragedy. His parents are Brian Birely and Karen Laake-Birely.

Donations can be made to support Charlie's family in their loss of their child and home at the website flycharliefly.com or through a GoFundMe Campaign.

Tribute: 

"I'm hoping that we are all going to be happy and celebrating Charlie, and none of us will be upset. He was always happy, like, always smiling. You couldn't get him to frown ever (Nicholas Torres, Peer Mentor to Charlie)."

Links about Charlie Birely: 

          Obituary:  Obituary for Charlie Birely

News:

• Police: Boy with Autism Dies in Sailboat Fire on St. Lucie River
• Funeral Held for Charlie Birely, 11, Killed in Stuart Boat Fire 
• Report Released After Boy Dies in House Fire 

Marshall Fine

Marshall Fine (1956-2014)

Marshall Fine was 57 years old and had autism. He was from Memphis, Tennessee. On August 7, 2014, Marshall Fine was critically injured in an automobile accident near Horse Cave, Kentucky. He passed away from his injuries on August 21, 2014. Marshall Fine had been a successful composer and the assistant principal viola in the Memphis Symphony.

Tribute to Marshall Fine: "What made him memorable was the depth and breadth of his knowledge of music, and his intense personal desire from his childhood to succeed (Burton Fine, Marshall's Father).

Links about Marshall Fine: 

Obituary:

• Memphis Musician Marshall Fine, 57, Remembered as a Genius (The Commercial Appeal, John Beijuss, August 22, 2014)
• Obituary at Dignity Memorial 

Blog: 

• Slipped Disc: A Viola Player's Battle with Autism
• The Violin Channel: Memphis Symphony Assistant Principal Violist Has Died Following a Car Accident

Tony Eugene McCoy Cory Ferguson

Tony Eugene McCoy Cory Ferguson (2008-2014)

Tony Eugene "Gene" Cory Ferguson was 5 years old and had autism.  He lived in Cass County, Missouri. He wandered away from his home on July 8, 2014, when the door at his home was left open by a crew repairing the air conditioning at his house. He was found dead in a pond near his home later that afternoon. Gene was born on September 11, 2008, and had been raised by his grandparents who adopted him in 2013. Gene aspired to be a firefighter.  He is survived by his father Tony Marvin Cory and his adopted parents, Tim and Margie Ferguson.

Tribute to Tony Eugene McCoy Cory Ferguson: 

• "He was just a perfect little boy, sorry (Margie Ferguson, Tony's Grandmother).
• "Gene was a great little boy from day one. He loved to play with cars, power wheels, his go cart and his pony, Candy. His dog, Walmart, went everywhere outside with him. Gene liked Sunday school, daycare and his preschool. He made friends everywhere. Gene had friends at Wal-Mart, Price Chopper and other places. He was always saying to his papa, I like to play. Gene liked game shows on TV and his dad had just got him a gameboy. The world was a better place for the time Gene was with us (Obituary in the Cass County Democrat Missourian).

Links about Tony Eugene McCoy Cory Ferguson: 

Obituary: Obituary in the Cass County Democrat Missourian

News:

• Boy with Autism Wanders Away from Home (KCTV5)
• Family Grieves after 5 Year Old Cass County Boy Drowns in Nearby Pond
• Desperate Search Ends Tragically as 5 year-old Found Dead in Mo. Pond

Harry Procko

Harry Procko (2010-2014)

Harry Procko was 4 years old and had autism. He is from Nottingham, England in the United Kingdom. Harry died on June 23, 2014, from dehydration, two days after being released from the Nottingham Children's Hospital. He had been admitted for a stomach bug. He also had been diagnosed earlier with a hole in his heart. Richard Clements and Marika Procko are his parents.

Links about Harry Procko: 

Tribute Website: Harry Procko's Life Story at Forever Missed

News:  

• Parents Protest after Tummy Bug Boy Dies (Nottingham Post, July 24, 2014) 
• The Father of Harry Procko is Calling for Urgent Changes after his Son's Death (ITV Report, June 10, 2015)
• Labour MEP Backs Harry's Law for better care for autistic children (Glenis Willmott MEP Website) 
• Death of Four-Year-Old Harry Procko 'Not Caused by Hospital Failings' (BT, July 17, 2015) 

Tristan Demumbran

Tristan Demumbran, 6 Years

Tristan Demumbran was 6 years old and had autism.  He lived in Hickman County, Tennessee. On June 5, 2014, Tristan's mother, Gidgett Denumbran was driving the family vehicle through high waters and the floodwaters forced her and five passengers to get out of the car. His mother grabbed Tristan by the hand in the high water but she was knocked unconscious by a branch and lost her grip on the boy. Gidgett Denumbran and the other passengers in the vehicle made it to safety. Tristan's body was found by search members in a drain pipe near the Beaverdam Creek on June 7, 2014.

Tribute to Tristan Demumbran: "He's an amazing little boy. He smiles all the time. He is always happy (Gidgett Demumbran, Mother)."


Links about Tristan Demumbran: 

News:

• Drowned Hickman County boy found 

• Body of 6-Year Old Found in Hickman County  

• Funeral Set for Hickman County Boy Swept Away by Flood Waters 

Erick Ortiz

Erick Ortiz, 16 Years

Erick Ortiz was 16 years old and had autism. Erick was from Los Angeles, California and attended Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Erick Ortiz was left unattended on a class field trip at an aquatic center and park in East Los Angeles and he wandered into the swimming pool and drowned on June 4, 2014.

Links about Erick Ortiz: 

News:

• LA Teen with Autism Drowns in Swimming Pool During Class Field Trip (Autism Speaks)  

• Autistic Boy Who Died on Field Trip Required Full-Time Supervision 

• Special Needs Student Drowns During Class Field Trip to East LA Swimming Pool  

• Sheriffs, LAUSD Investigate Drowning of Autistic Teen in Pool  

Jeffrey Perez

Jeffrey Perez, 16 Years

Jeffrey Perez was 16 years old and had autism. Jeffrey was from San Antonio, Texas. His family reported to authorities that Jeffrey had wandered away from his home during the night on June 1, 2014. On the morning of June 2, 2014, Jeffrey Perez was walking in the center lane of Interstate Highway 410 in San Antonio during rush hour traffic and he was struck by multiple vehicles and died. Jeffrey was in eighth grade at Scobee Middle School.

Links about Jeffrey Perez: 

News:

• Texas Teen With Autism Dies After Being Fatally Struck on Highway (Autism Speaks)  

• Killed Autistic Student Identified 

Beyonce Riddick

Beyonce Riddick, 12 Years

Beyonce Riddick was 12 years old and had autism. She wandered away from her home in Orlando, Florida around 5:30pm on May 30, 2014. In the morning of May 31, 2014, Beyonce Riddick was discovered drowned in a pond near her home.

Links about Beyonce Riddick: 

News:

• Missing Orlando Autistic Girl Found Dead  

• Missing Autistic Girl Found Dead in Pond Near Leesburg Hospital

Raul Espinosa

Raul Espinosa, 6 Years

Raul Espinosa was 6 years old and had severe autism. He lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On May 21, 2014, Raul Espinosa wandered away from his caretakers and was hit by a school bus. He died from his injuries.

Tribute: 

"He was very sociable with people. A lot of people loved him. What else can I say? (Raul's mother Aurora Mejia as quoted in 620 WTMJ.)"

Links about Raul Espinosa: 

News:

• Boy Hit By School Bus Had Severe Autism
• Milwaukee Boy with Autism Dies After Being Hit by School Bus (Autism Speaks)
• Ruled an accident: Medical Examiner says child struck by bus was autistic 
• Six-Year-Old Boy Struck, Killed by School Bus on Milwaukee's South Side  

Robert Robinson

Robert Robinson, 16 Years

Robert Robinson was 16 years old and had autism. Robert lived in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. On April 3, 2014, Robert Robinson was discovered dead in his home, having been poisoned by his mother Angie Robinson. His mother subsequently also killed herself, leaving behind a suicide note saying she could no longer cope with the care needed for her son.

Links about Robert Robinson: 

Blogs: 

• Autism, Epilepsy and Self-Injurious Behaviors 

• Autism Memorial   

• Autism is a Trip  

• Autistic Self-Advocacy Network - Robert Robinson 

• Facing Autism in New Brunswick 

News:

• Struggling Single Mother, 40, left Suicide Note Saying She Could No Longer Cope Caring for Severely Autistic Son, 16, Before Killing Him and Then Herself   

• Murder-suicide of B.C. Autistic Teen by His Mother Reignites Debate Over Caregiver Support 

• Services Questioned After Murder-Suicide of Mom, Autistic Son in Prince Rupert  

• Murder-suicide of Prince Rupert, BC, Mother, Autistic Son Under Review 

Travis Stratton

Travis Stratton, 4 Years

Travis Stratton was 4 years old and had autism. On March 21, 2014, Travis was being watched by his grandparents and he wandered away from his Castaic, California (Los Angeles County) home. Travis was found unconscious in a neighbor's pool. He was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day. Travis is the son of Tim and Cathy Stratton.

Links about Travis Stratton: 

Blogs: 

• The World Lost Another Little Boy with #Autism Due to Wandering and Drowning (Lost and Tired)

News:

• 4-year Old Boy with Autism Reported Missing in Santa Clarita Found Unconscious in Pool
• Four-Year-Old with Autism Drowns in California after Wandering from Home (Autism Speaks)
• Telly's to Host Fundraiser for Castaic Family With Autistic Son Who Drowned

Memorial Page: 

• Travis Stratton Memorial on Facebook

Callum Dale

Callum Dale, 13 Years

Callum Dale was 13 years old and had Aspergers Syndrome. On March 13, 2014, he had an episode and ran out of his home near Buncrana, Co Donegal in Ireland and went and sat down in the left hand lane of a busy road. He was hit by an oncoming car and pronounced dead that evening.  Callum Dale's father Peter was seriously injured trying to remove his son off the road but survived. His parents are Peter and Deidre Dale.

Tribute: "Callum was a very special person. He was a very bright and intelligent young man with a great inquiring mind (Fr. John Walsh as Quoted in the Independent.i.e. Irish News)."

Links about Callum Dale: 

Obituary:  Death Notice for Callum Dale

News: 

• Teenage Boy with Aspergers Syndrome Hit and Killed by Car as His Father Tried to Move Him to Safety   

• Boy, 13, Killed by Car After Running Out of House  

• School Friends Guard of Honour at Boys Funeral Just Metres From Where He Died

Curtis Metzger

Curtis Metzger, 27 Years

Curtis Metzger was 27 years old and had autism. He lived in Huntsville, Alabama. He had been working for six years at the Target Store on University Drive in Huntsville, Alabama. Curtis Metzger died from a heart attack on March 5, 2014 during his routine workout at the gym. His parents are Jim and Laura Metzger.

Tributes to Curtis Metzger: 

• "All these years, I thought we did a good job of teaching and developing him. But the truth be told, it was the other way round. He made this a better store (Kristi Cox, Target)."
• "If there is anything I could do as a tribute to Curtis, its to make sure people understand that just because a person has autism doesn't mean they can't do things. Just because they learn differently doesn't mean they can't learn at all (Laura Metzger, Curtis' Mother)."

Links about Curtis Metzger: 

News: 

• Autism Couldn't Stop Curtis Metzger from Filling 27 Years with a Creative, Loving Life (AL.com, May 11, 2014)

Na'eem Demby

Na'eem Demby, 14 Years

Na'eem Demby was 14 years old and had autism. He lived in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Na'eem Demby was trapped in his home during a fire on February 17, 2014. Firefighters rescued him from the burning home, but Na'eem died later at a local hospital.

Links about Na'eem Demby: 

News:

• Teen Boy with Autism Dies After Row Home Fire in Logan

Avonte Oquendo

Avonte Oquendo (1999-2014)

Avonte Oquendo was 14 years old and had autism. He is from Queens, New York. On October 4, 2013, Avonte went missing from the Riverview School in Queens, New York.  Public safety officials and caring New York citizens conducted a massive search for Avonte throughout the Fall and into the Winter. About 100 days after Avonte Oquendo disappeared his remains were discovered on January 16, 2014, on the banks of the East River. The medical examiner was unable to determine the cause of his death. Avonte Oquendo is the son of Daniel Oquendo and Vanessa Fontaine.

Tribute: 

"Avonte was a great human being. We are grateful for his life, for his courage and for the act of goodness and kindness that his life and tragic death evoked (Edward Cardinal Egan, The New York Daily News, 1/25/2014)."

Links about Avonte Oquendo:

News: 

• The Boy Who Ran: The Life and Death of Avonte Oquendo 

• Remains Found in Queens are Matched to Missing Autistic Boy 

• New York Family Grieves, Seeths After Remains of Missing Autistic Boy I'd'd 

• Somber Wake, Funeral Held for Autistic Teen Avonte Oquendo  

• Avonte Oquendo's Brother Thanks New Yorkers for Support, Efforts in Search  

• The Avonte Oquendo Tragedy: A Statement from Autism Speaks 

• Report Released on Disappearance of Autistic Teen Avonte Oquendo