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