Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho

Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho (1987-2015)

Jonathan (Jonno) Grinstein-Camacho was 28 years old and had autism. He lived in Searport, Maine. He was born on November 10, 1987, in Concord, New Hampshire. He died from an accidental drowning on December 3, 2015, in Belfast, Maine. His mother is Christina Camacho and his father is David Grinstein of Searsport, Maine. In memory of Jonno, his family established a non-profit named Jonno's Place, which will build a center in Belfast, Maine where adults of all abilities can reside.


Tribute to Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho:  "Jonno was a gifted child, extraordinarily intelligent, very sweet, shy with people but loved dogs and loved his vegetables (Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho's Obituary)."

Links about Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho:

Obituary: Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho's Obituary (The Free Press)

News:

• Police Identify Man Found Dead Near Stream in Belfast (Bangor Daily News, December 4, 2015) 
• A Grieving Family Blames Broken MaineCare System for their Son's Death (Bangor Daily News, March 31, 2016)
• In Wake of Autistic Son's Death, Family Strives to Build Community for Those Who Struggle to Belong (Bangor Daily News, December 27, 2016) 

Aiden Rodriguez

Aiden Rodriguez, 6 Years

Aiden Rodriguez was six years old and had autism. He lived in Humble, Texas and had survived heart surgery in 2014. On November 15, 2015, Aiden wandered away from his family and ran out of the Napalitos Dona Maria restaurant in Highland, Texas and into a busy road where he was hit by a pickup truck.

Tribute to Aiden Rodriguez:  "He was just a very beautiful boy with the sweetest heart (Greg Rodriguez, Aden's Father)."

Links about Aiden Rodriguez: 

News:  

• Family mourns autistic son, 6, killed after wandering into street, (Click2Houston.com, Syan Rhodes, Novvember 17, 2015)
• Traffic Accident Claims 5 year-old's Life (Baytownsuncom, November 18, 2015)

Shane Laycock

Shane Laycock (2004-2015)

Shane Laycock was 11 years old and had autism. He lived in Bethalto, Illinois. Shane was born on February 21, 2004. He committed suicide on November 12, 2015, after struggling with his autism and suffering from bullying at school. His organs were donated to help save the lives of five other human lives. His mother is Tammy (Battles) Laycock.

Tribute to Shane Laycock: "Shane was a fighter. He made everyone he met happy. He put a smile on their faces. He was extremely intelligent in science, history and any type of animals and their habitats. He had a huge, loving heart (Tammy Laycock, Shane's Mother)."

Links about Shane Laycock: 

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary for Shane Laycock

Blog: Autism Memorial Blog

News:  

• 'A Huge, Loving Heart'--Bethalto Boy Struggled with Autism Before Suicide (The Telegraph, Cory Davenport, November 17, 2015)
• Somber Turnout for 'Shane's Walk' (The Telegraph, Scott Cousins, November 21, 2015) 

Jeremy David Mardis

Jeremy Mardis (2009-2015)

Jeremy Mardis was six years old and had autism. He lived in Pineville, Louisiana. Jeremy died on November 3, 2015, in Marksville, Louisiana, when he was hit by shots fired into the car he was riding in. There has been an indictment charging two Louisiana law enforcement officers with second degree murder for his death. He was a first grader at Lafargue Elementary School. His parents were Christopher Few and Kati Mardis.

Tribute to Jeremy Mardis: "He was a very loving little boy and a true gift from God (From Jeremy's Obituary)."

Links about Jeremy Mardis: 

Obituary: Jeremy Mardis Obituary at Moore Funeral Services

News:  

• Two Louisiana Officers Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Boy, 6 (NBC News, Phil Helsel, November 7, 2015)
• Slain Autistic Boy's Family Speaks Out on Marshall's Indictment (CBS News, December 11, 2015) 

Cameron Thomas

Cameron Thomas (2012-2015)

Cameron Thomas was three years old and had autism. He was from Chesapeake, Virginia. On October 27, 2015, Cameron got out of his home through a window while his father was in the shower and wandered away around 6:00pm. He was found drowned in a nearby body of water later that night. His parents are Rachel Allen and Cody Thomas.

Tribute to Cameron Thomas:  "Cameron had the ability to cheer anyone up with his bright smile, a soft touch of his hand, and tight hug around the neck. His loving and warm nature and free spirited style will be sorely missed by everyone (From Cameron Thomas Obituary)."

Links about Cameron Thomas: 

Obituary: Cameron Thomas Obituary at Legacy.com

Memorial Page: Facebook Page - In Remembrance of Cameron Thomas 

News:  

• Missing boy with autism found dead in Virginia marsh (Jake Burns, WTVR, October 28, 2015)
• After son tragically drowns, couple makes generous offer to parents of children with autism (Scott Wise, WTVR, October 29, 2015)
• Chesapeake family grieves after missing 3 year old is found dead (13 News now, November 2, 2015) 
• Police release cause of death for 3 year old boy with autism found dead in Chesapeake neighborhood (WTKR.com, October 27, 2015) 

Stephen Rouse

Stephen Joseph Rouse, 22 Years

Stephen Rouse was 22 years and had the form of autism known as Asperger's Syndrome. He had lived in Pitt County, North Carolina and had been attending Pitt Community College. In 2012 he graduated from JS Rose High School. Stephen had been a victim of bullying. He was stabbed behind the Walmart in Greenville, North Carolina on October 19, 2015 and died that evening from his injuries. His mother is Portia Rouse and his father is John Bradley.

Tribute to Stephen Rouse:  "He was a very kind, gentle soul who loved people, trying to find the good in everyone. He was a bright young man wih Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, who had high aspirations of becoming an orthopedic doctor. He will be deeply and forever missed (Obituary of Stephen Rouse).

Links about Stephen Rouse: 

Obituary: Stephen Rouse Obituary at Legacy.com

News:  

• NC Mom Says Slain Son was Bullied for Weeks Because of Autism (WNCN News, October 24, 2015)
• Mother Remembers Son After Fatal Stabbing in Greenville (News Channel 12, October 20, 2015) 

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)

Tyler Brown

Tyler Brown (2004-2015)

Tyler Jamarr Brown was eleven years old and had autism. Tyler was born on February 17, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan. He lived in Dothan, Alabama. On August 28, 2015, he ran from his home and as he was hit by an automobile while crossing Montgomery Highway near the Walmart in north Dothan, Alabama. Before he was fatally hit, other passing motorists tried unsuccessfully to stop Tyler from running across the highway. Tyler's parents are Krista L. Brown and the late Derreck Walker.


Links about Tyler Brown:

Obituary:

• Tyler Brown Obituary at Dignity Memorial 

News:  

• Boy who suffered from Autism runs from Dothan home but dies before police can locate him (WTVY.com, August 29, 2015)
• Tyler Brown, 11, struck and killed by pickup truck while walking along Montgomery Highway in Dothan, Alabama (Accident Data Center, August 29, 2015) 

Zachary Elshaarawy

Zachary Elshaarawy (2010-2015)

Zachary James Elshaarawy was five years old and had autism.  Zachary was born on February 2, 2010 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Zachary wandered away from his family home in Burleson, Texas and died on August 23, 2015. Zachary was able to enter an unlocked automobile near his home. After police were called to help search for him an officer found Zachary unconscious and the vehicle he was in locked. The temperature outside was 100 degrees on the day Zachary died and inside a closed car it would have been much more extreme. It was estimated that Zachary had been exposed to the extreme hot temperatures of an enclosed vehicle for about an hour. Zachary's mother is Robin Polson and his father is Tarek "Darek" Elshaarawy.

Tribute to Zachry Elshaarawy: 

"He was the most pure at heart, loving child, who always had a smle on his face, and was excited about starting kindergarten soon (Zachary's Obituary)."

Links about Zachary Elshaarawy: 

Obituary: Zachary Eshaarawy's Obituary at Legacy.com

News:  

• 5 Year Old Boy Found in Hot Car in Burleson Dies (Dallas News, August 23, 2015)
• Autisic Boy, 5, Dies after Wandering out of Famly Home and into an Unlocked, Hot Vehicle (Daily Mail, August 24, 2015)
• Boy With Autism Locks Himself in Hot Car and Dies (Parenting.com)
• Child with Autism Dies After Being Found in Hot Car (KCENTV.Com, August 23, 2015) 

Skyleigh Pool

Skyleigh Pool, 8 Years

Skyleigh Pool was eight years old and had autism. Skyleigh was from McCracken County, Kentucky. She was visiting relatives in Ballard County, Kentucky at the 1500 block of Farm County Road near U.S. 60 on July 29, 2015, when she wandered away from her family. The body of Skyleigh Pool was discovered in a nearby pond on July 30, 2015.

Links about Skyleigh Pool: 

News:  

• Girl's Body Found in Ballard Pond (Paducah Sun, Kat Russell)

• Parents Empathizing with Family of Skyleigh Pool (WPSD 6, July 30, 2015) 

• Funeral Services Being Held Today for Skyleigh Pool (WPSD 6, August 3, 2015) 

Sidney Heidrick

Sidney Heidrick, 4 Years

Sidney Heidrick was four years old and had autism. Sidney was from Bay Village, Ohio. He wandered away from his grandparents home in Sheffield Lake, Ohio at about 4:30pm on July 24, 2015. After an extensive search his body was discovered in Lake Erie on July 25, 2015.

Links about Sidney Heidrick: 

Facebook Memorial Page: Facebook Page In Memory of Sidney Heidrick 

News:  

• Update: Body of Missing Boy Pulled from Lake Erie, ABC6, July 25, 2015 

• Police: Body of Missing 4 Year Old Boy Sidney Heidrick Pulled from Lake Erie, NewsNet5, July 26, 2015 

Hamza Elmi

Hamza Elmi, 6 Years

Hamza Elmi was six years old and had autism. Hamza was from St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was a student at Madison Elementary School in St. Cloud. Hazma wandered away from his home and was last seen at about 8:30pm on July 23, 2015. His body was found in the Mississippi River on July 24, 2015.

Links about Hazma Elmi: 

News: 

• Body of Missing St. Cloud 6 Year Old Found Near Mississippi River, Fox9.com, July 24, 2015  

• Community Support After Body of Missing Boy Found, Kare11, July 25, 2015 

• UPDATE: Search for Boy Called Off After Body Pulled from River, WJON, July 24, 2015 

Omarion Humphrey

Omarion "Mars" Humphrey (2005-2015)

Omarion "Mars" Humphrey was nine years old and had autism. Omarion was born on October 18, 2005 and was from Pontiac, Michigan. On July 4, 2015, Omarion wandered away from a family gathering with his foster family at the Lake Callis Recreation Area in Davison Township in Genessee County, Michigan. Volunteers and law enforcement searched for 6 days for Omarion. His body was discovered in Callis Lake on July 10, 2015. Omarion's parents are Jamell and Khisha Humphrey.

Links about Omarion Humphrey: 

Obituary:  Obituary for Omarion Humphrey 

News: 

• Dad Says Autistic Son Found Dead in Genessee County Lake (Detroit Free Press, July 10, 2015) 

• Body of Missing 9 Year Old Found in Callis Lake (Oakland Press, John Turk, July 10, 2015)  

• Prayer Vigil for Omarion Humphrey Draws Hundreds to Davison Park (Mlive.com, Amanda Emery, July 10, 2015)

Adam Elusma

Adam Elusma, 5 Years

Adam Elusma was five years old and had autism. Adam lived in Fort Pierce, Florida in St. Lucie County. On Friday, June 19, 2015, Adam was playing at the Midway Road Church of Christ playground and wandered away. He was discovered unconscious at the bottom of a nearby swimming pool only .2 of a mile from his home.

Tribute to Adam Elusma: "He just had great joy in everything. He understood not so much but he loved it all (Paul Dawson, Pastor Midway Road Church of Christ)."

Links about Adam Elusma: 

News: 

• Police: 5 Year Old Boy Wanders Away from Playground, Found Unconscious in a Pool (CBS12.com, June 20, 2015)
• 5 Year Old Boy Dies After Being Found at Bottom of Pool (TCPalm.com, Will Greenlee, June 20, 2015)
• 5 Year Old Boy Dies After Being Found at the Bottom of a Swimming Pool near Fort Pierce (WPTV.com, June 20, 2015)

Jayden Humes

Jayden Humes (2008-2015)

Jayden Marquis Humes was six years old and had autism. Jayden Humes lived in Saginaw, Michigan. Jayden was playing at Krossroads Park in Saginaw on June 19, 2015. He went missing and searchers found his body later in the day in one of the park's ponds. Jayden's parents are Kevin and Dewan Humes.

Tribute to Jayden Humes:

"To me, that didn't make a difference, it [autism] was just what his condition was, that's not what he was. He was a very loving little boy. Very energetic like I said. Just very, very smart. Very smart. He was just the sunshine of everybody's day (Dewan Humes, Jayden's Mother)."

Links about Jayden Humes: 

Obituary: Jayden Humes Obituary at Paradise Funeral Chapel

News: 

• Mother of Drowned Boy Remembers His Life (WNEM.com, Nick Lulli, June 21, 2015)

• 6-Year old Jayden Humes 'loved everything and everyone' (Mlive.com, Heather Jordan, June 20, 2015) 

• Young Child Drowns While at a Saginaw County Park Friday Evening (ABC12.com, June 22, 2015)

Kennedy LeRoy

Kennedy LeRoy, 16 Years

Kennedy LeRoy was 16 years old and had autism. He was from Chino Hills, California near Los Angeles. Kennedy committed suicide in his bedroom on June 12, 2015, because he had been enduring years of bullying in his school at Ayala High School. Kennedy left a note behind that said, "Maybe my death will make people realize that words can hurt as much as, if not more than, physical blows (NBC Los Angeles, June 17, 2015)."

Links about Kennedy LeRoy: 

News: 

• Bullied Teen With Asperger's Who Wanted to Help Others Commits Suicide (NBC Los Angeles, June 17, 2015) 

• Tragic End for Teenager with Aspergers Syndrome (Autism Speaks, June 18, 2015) 

• Chino Hills Teen Left Chilling Suicide Note. He Killed Himself to Prevent Suicides (CBS Los Angeles, June 18, 2015) 

Nicholas Richett

Nicholas Richett (1995-2015)

Nicholas Richett was 20 years old and had autism. He lived in Melvindale, Michigan. Nicholas Richett's body was discovered at his home on Friday, June 12, 2015, as the apparent victim of a murder-suicide. It appears Nicholas was killed by his father John Richett, Jr., who was having medical problems. Police Chief Chad Hayse said, "The gentleman took his son's life and then his own life. He feared his medical problems would take his life and then he wouldn't be around to care for his son and he didn't want to burden the family (WOGX.com, June 15, 2015)."

Links about Nicholas Richett: 

Obituary: Nicholas Richett Obituary, Voran Funeral Home

News: 

• Cops: Melvindale Father, Autistic Son Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide (Detroit Free Press, June 15, 2015) 

• Melvindale Father and Son Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide (Ingrid Kelley, WOGX.com, June 15, 2015)  

• Melvindale Murder-Suicide Underlines Strain of Autism Care (Detroit Free Press, June 16, 2015)

Rayyan Siddique

Rayyan Siddique (2008-2015)

Rayyan Siddique was seven years old and had autism. Rayyan lived in Riviera Beach, Florida. On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, Rayyan wandered and drowned in a retention pond near the Indian Trace Apartments near the 6800 block of North Military Trail, where he lived in Riviera Beach, Florida. The pond had murky waters that made visibility difficult and it was very deep in places.

Links about Rayyan Siddique: 

News: 

• 7 Year-Old Dies After Being Pulled from Lake in Riviera Beach (WPTV.com, June 9, 2015)  

• Riviera Beach Police ID Boy Who Drowned in Pond (Sun-Sentinel, June 10, 2015) 

• Riviera Beach Police Officer Shares First-Hand Efforts to Save 7 Year-Old Boy From Drowning (WPTV.com, June 15, 2015)