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)