Randle Barrow

Randle Barrow (2005-2013)

Randle Barrow was 8 years old and had autism. He lived in Huntsville, Alabama. Randle had missed school for two days, leading law enforcement to visit his house on December 14, 2013. Law enforcement discovered at his home that there had been a house fire, and they found the body of his mother Delicia Lattice Barrow in the house. After a search for Randle Barrow, his body was discovered about midnight on December 15, 2013, in the Tennessee River in the Honeycomb area of Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama. Police report that Randle's mother drowned him and then killed herself.

Tribute: 

"Randle was a joy every day he was with us. He was always smiling, giggling, and greeting those around him. His concern and caring for his classmates and teachers were evident every day. Randle will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family (Melody Crane, Riley Center)."

Links about Randle Barrow: 

News: 

• Missing Boys Body Found in Lake Guntersville (Autism Speaks)

• BREAKING NEWS: Body of Missing 8 Year Old Randle Barrow Found in Lake Guntersville (WHNTV)

• Search for Missing Autistic Boy Ends in Tragedy (MyFoxAL) 

• Police: Randle Barrow's Mother Drowned Him in Tennessee River, Then Killed Herself  

• Resources Are Out There: Riley Center Remembers Autistic Student Randle Barrow 

Marquail D. Johnson

Marquail D. Johnson (2005-2013)

Marquail D. Johnson was 8 years old and had autism. He is from Peoria, Illinois. He was pronounced dead on August 15, 2013, after he went missing and was found suffocated inside an older style refrigerator that was outside in a yard near his home. It was the kind of refrigerator that when left out is supposed to have the door or latch removed for safety, because once closed it can not be opened from the inside. His parents are Michael and Shinta Johnson.

Links about Marquail D. Johnson: 

Blogs: Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering

          Obituary: Legacy Obituary for Marquail Johnson

News: 

• Missing Peoria Boys Body Found in Refrigerator 

• Investigation Ongoing After Body of Missing Autistic Boy Found in Peoria  

• Coroner: 8 Year Old Boy Suffocated to Death  

• Missing Boy With Autism Found Dead in Peoria 

Anthony Kuznia

Anthony Kuznia (2002-2013)

Anthony Kuznia was 11 years old and had autism. He is from East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Anthony went missing from his home on August 7, 2013, and after an intensive search was found in the Red River near his Grandmother's home on August 8, 2013. Anthony's father is Barry Kuznia of Stephen, Minnesota and his mother is Jennifer Bartz of Grand Forks. He also is survived by two sisters, Sophia Margaret and Elizabeth Rae. At the time of his death Anthony had been living with his Grandmother Janet Luettjohann of East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

Tributes: Anthony Loved Life and Touched Many Lives

"Anthony completed fifth grade last spring at Phoenix Elementary School and was currently enrolled in summer school at New Heights Elementary School. Anthony loved life and touched many lives. He enjoyed his friends at S.M.I.L.E., Special Olympics, and Development Homes, Inc. (Source/Obituary)."

Links about Anthony Kuznia: 

Obituary: Grand Forks Herald Obituary; Amundson Funeral Home Obituary

Blogs: Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering

News: 

• An April 2012 Article Focused on Autism Featured Anthony Kuznia 

• Body of East Grand Forks, Minn Boy Found 

• A Community Remembers Anthony Kuznia  

Liam Hamilton

Liam Hamilton (2006-2013)

Liam Hamilton was seven years old and had autism. He lived in Atlanta, Texas in Bowie County. Liam wandered off from his home on July 24, 2013. About 8:00pm that day his body was found in a private pond along Trexler Road between Redwater and Texarkana, Texas. Liam is the son of Amber Giles and Derrick Hamilton.

Links about Liam Hamilton: 

Obituary:  Texarkana Gazette Obituary

News: 

• Body of Missing Bowie Co Boy With Autism Found in Pond  

• Wandering Risk Higher Among Children With Autism 

• Update: Missing Redwater Boy Found

Alexandre Guy Lemay

Alexandre Guy Lemay, 13 Years

Alexandre Guy Lemay of North Bay, Ontario Canada was 13 years old and had autism. Alexandre died on July 19, 2013, in an accident. He got out of the car he was in and walked into the road, where he was hit by a pickup truck. Alexandre is the son of Julie (nee Desjardins) and Alain Lemay.

Tributes: 

"Alexandre touched the lives of many people with his infectious smile and free spirited nature (From Obituary)."

Links about Alexandre Guy Lemay: 

Obituary: YourLifeMoments.ca 

News:

• Death of Autistic Boy Chilling Reminder for Caregivers

• No Charges Will Be Laid in Fatal Coniston Collision

Nicholas Shaffer

Nicholas Shaffer, 12 Years

Nicholas Lowell (Nic) Shaffer of Peninsula, Ohio had autism and passed away at 12 years of age. He jumped into Mud Creek near Akron, Ohio on July 11, 2013, and was swept away in the unusually high water. Rescue personnel discovered his body on July 14, 2013. Nic was the son of Jon Shaffer and Lisa Traylor.

Tributes: He Always Found Ways to Express His Love 

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we have received," said Nic's family. "While Nic could not speak, he always found ways to express his love for the people around him. He will be dearly missed (Source: News video no longer available online)."

"He will be remembered for his infectious belly laugh and giant smile that could always light up a room," according to his obituary. "In the short time on earth he made a positive impact on the many lives he touched. He taught us all what really mattered in life, namely, to never take the little blessings in life for granted (Obituary at Legacy.com)."

Links about Nicholas Shaffer:

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary 

Blogs: We Mourn the Loss of a 12 Year Old Little Boy With Autism (Lost and Tired Blog) 

Facebook Memorial Page: Family and Friends of Nic Shaffer 

News:

• Search for 12 Year Old Boy With Autism Behind Akron Apartments Now Recovery Effort

• Helicopter Aids Search for Missing Boy

• Body Presumed to Be Boy Swept Away ID'ed

  Note: After hearing of the passing of Nicholas Shaffer the creator of the Autism Light blog was moved to start this companion blog to remember those who had autism. The was the first post at Autism Rest.

Michael Kingsbury

Michael Kingsbury, 7 Years

Michael Kingsbury of Washington D.C. was 7 years old and had autism. He went missing from his home on July 7, 2013 and was discovered deceased in a locked car near his home on July 8, 2013. He was the son of Katrina Kingsbury and Michael Woods.

Tributes: 

"The blessing for us is to have known Michael Kingsbury... Michael was in this world, but wasn't of this world. Michael didn't see the things we saw. He didn't react to things the way we reacted. He accepted them off of faith and love. He smiled  (Michael's Uncle Paul Travis, Jr. at Michael's Funeral)."

"We've lost a life, and not only have we lost a life, we lost a young life, a life that had potential, a life that showed the future, and a life that could have made our city better (James Banks of DC Council Member David Grosso's Office)."

Links about Michael Kingsbury: 

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary for Michael Kingsbury

Blogs:

• Michael Kingsbury's Death Illustrates The Challenges of Raising an Autistic Child (HillRag.com)

• Michael Kingsbury (Sarah's Voice) 

News:

• Missing Autistic Boy Found Dead Yard from N.E. D.C. Home

• Tragic End to Search for Missing 7 Year Old With Autism

• Michael Kingsbury, Missing 7 Year Old With Autism, Found Dead Near D.C. Home

• Michael Kingsbury Funeral, Friday at Bathesda Baptist Church 

• Funeral for Missing Boy Found Dead in NE

• What Happened to Michael Kingsbury?