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The parents of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman, a fourth grader at Mountain View Elementary in Roanoke, Virginia, are sharing warning signs they noticed in the weeks before her tragic death by suicide. Autumn, once known for her boundless energy and laughter, began displaying subtle changes: she slept more, smiled less, and started dressing in darker clothing. Her mother, Summer Bushman, said that Autumn had always been a lively, adventurous child—performing cartwheels, playing loudly, and lighting up rooms. But something shifted.
Her parents say Autumn had become withdrawn. She faced bullying at school for standing up for classmates, speaking out when something felt wrong. The harassment spilled over into social media, where Autumn couldn’t escape the cruelty. Though the family reported the bullying to the school, they say little was done.
As Autumn’s behavior changed, her kindness and empathy, once her defining traits, were overshadowed by fear and sadness. Her mother urges other parents to pay attention to the signs: check your child’s cell phone, talk openly about their friendships, and intervene when something feels off.
