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? 

Daven Williams

Daven Williams (1997-2013)

Daven Alexander Williams was 15 years old and had autism. On June 14, 2013, Daven Williams was reported missing from the Pine Grove, Inc., residential school for students with development disabilities in Elgin, South Carolina, where he was a student. Later in the day his body was found in a swimming pool about a quarter of a mile from the school. Daven is the son of Lawanda and Brian Robinson and Dana Tillman.

Tributes: 

"Daven was a playful, happy child that greeted everyone with a big hug and a kiss. He loved to eat, ride around in the car and listen to his music (From Obituary).

Links about Daven Williams: 

Obituary: In Memory of Daven Williams

Blog: Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering Elopment

News: 

• WLTX Video of News Story on Daven Williams Tragedy 

• Kershaw County Missing Child Found Dead  

• Missing Autistic Kershaw County Teen Found Dead in Pool

Donivan Martin

Donivan Martin (1996-2013)

Donivan Russell Martin was 16 years old and had autism. He is from LasVegas, Nevada.  On June 8, 2013, he managed to find the key to get into the locked family pool and was found face down in the water. He was taken off life support and died on June 12, 2013.

Links about Donivan Martin: 

Obituary: Dignity Memorial

Blogs: Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering

News: 

• Family Prepares to Say Goodbye to Special Needs Drowning Victim   

• Teen With Special Needs Drowns in Family Pool  

• LasVegas Teenager Dies 5 Days After Being Found in Pool  

Alex Spourdalakis

Alex Spourdalakis, 14 Years

Alex Spourdalakis of River Grove, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) was 14 years old and had autism. Police discovered Alex stabbed to death in his home on June 9, 2013. His mother and caregiver were charged with the crime. 

 Tributes: 

"You are free now to exist without pain, we won't let your life be forgotten (Memorial Video)." 

"Alex may you rest in peace sweet boy. We will never forget you. We will continue to fight in your memory for all the children. You will always be in our hearts (In Loving Memory of Alex Spourdalakis Facebook Page)." 

CNN IReport-Alex Spourdalakis May You Rest in Peace

Links about Alex Spourdalakis: 

Memorial Facebook Pages:

• In Loving Memory of Alex Spourdalakis 

• Keep Alex Spourdalakis Alive in Your Memory

• Help Support Alex Spourdalakis

Blogs:

• Mourning Alex Spourdalakis (Wyckoff Patch)

• This is Not the Way: Reflecting on the Death of Alex Spourdalakis (Muslimah Next Door)

News:

• Candlelight Vigil Held for Autistic Teen  

• Autism Speaks Responds to Alex Spourdalakis Tragedy 

• Alex Spourdalakis Mom, Godmother take 5th in Court 

• Alex Spourdalakis Killed: Autistic Teen's Mother, Godmother Charged in Boy's Stabbing Death 

• Film Provides Glimpse into Life of Autistic Teen Killed by Mother