Matthew Jankovich

Matthew Jankovich (2002-2015)

Matthew Jankovich was 13 years old and had autism. He lived in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born on June 19, 2002 and died in his sleep on September 21, 2015 from a seizure. In 2014, Matthew was the face of a successful legislative effort to make Nebraska the 36th state to require autism therapy insurance in certain health insurance plans.  His parents are Jared and Colleen Jankovich.

Tribute to Matthew Jankovich:  

Matthew was "a rare glimps into unspoken enthusiasm, love and compassion. ... I am a better person for having met Matthew (Colby Coash, Nebraska State Senator who sponsored the autism insurance bill)."

Links about Matthew Jankovich: 

Obituary: Matthew Jankovich's Obituary at Omaha.com

News:  Champion of coverage for autism therapy dies (Omaha.com, Roger Buddenberg, September 24, 2015)

Hun Joon Lee

Hun Joon "Paul" Lee (1995-2015)

Hun Joon "Paul" Lee was 19 years old and had autism. Paul was a student at the Sierra Vista Adult School in the Whittier Unfied School District and was from Whittier, California. Paul Lee did not arrive at school on the morning of September 11, 2015, and in the late afternoon was found dead in the aisleway of his school bus. He was apparently left on the bus by a school bus driver. A vigil was held for Paul on September 22, 2015 on what would have been his 20th birthday. Paul's parents are Sang Sik Lee and Eun Ha Lee.


Links about Paul Lee: 

News:  

• Vigil held for Whittier Student with Autism found dead on school bus (ABC 7 News, September 23, 2015)
• Heartbroken Mother Speaks Out after Student with Autism Found Dead on School Bus (KTLA.com, September 15, 2015)
• Autistic Student Was Left on Bus for Hours Before He Died (People.com, September 15, 2015)

Kaitlynn King

Kaitlynn King, 7 Years

Kaitlynn Marie King was seven years old and had autism. Kaitlynn was a student at Indian Lakes Elementary School and lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kaitlynn wandered away from her family's home on September 1, 2015, and searchers found her in a neighbor's pool near the 1800 block of Foxton Court in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kaitlynn's parents are Jason and Denise King.

Tribute to Kaitlynn King: 

"She had come a long way. She was very smart. I guess God needed a special angel up there, he got Kaitilyn [Kaitlynn] (Harry Declet, Kaitlynn's Grandfather)."

"She loved everybody she met and enjoyed playing with her ponies and enjoyed watching football (Kaitlynn's Obituary)." 

Links about Kaitlynn King: 

Obituary:  Kaitlynn King Obituary at Legacy.com

News:  

• Virginia Beach Child With Autism Dies After Being Found in Neighbor's Pool (WTKR.com, September 1, 2015)