The bright smile of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman touched many lives in Roanoke County, Virginia. Her infectious laugh made her loved by everyone who knew her. Tragically, beneath her cheerful exterior, Autumn faced struggles that eventually led to her taking her own life on March 21, 2025.
A Heart Too Big for This World
Autumn Brooke Bushman wasn’t just any fourth-grader. She was known for her deep empathy and how she readily stood up for others. According to family accounts reported in local coverage, “If somebody was getting bullied or picked on, she would stand up for them. And unfortunately, that may have made her a target for more bullying,” Summer Bushman explained. This young girl loved cheer, track, dance, and archery. Beyond her activities, she brought joy to those around her. Her obituary describes how she had a “wonderful sense of humor” and was “always ready to lend a listening ear or offer support.” Ironically, Autumn’s kindness may have made her vulnerable in ways her parents didn’t fully realize until it was too late.
Warning Signs That Went Unnoticed
The Bushman family noticed changes in their daughter’s behavior that hinted at her inner turmoil. Mark Bushman observed his vibrant daughter, Autumn, began wearing darker clothes and showed less of her typical joy. Meanwhile, Summer Bushman recalled specific warning signs: “She started napping more. She would come home from school and nap, and I thought that was very strange.” Moreover, her mother also noted dramatic shifts in preferences. “She told me she hated the color pink. Which came out of left field. She loved the color pink.” These subtle shifts now stand out as warning signs to her grieving parents. Experts say such behavioral changes can indicate a child is struggling with their mental health. These subtle shifts now stand out as warning signs to her grieving parents. Experts say such behavioral changes can indicate a child is struggling with their mental health.
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The Impact of Bullying
At the root of her struggles, the Bushmans believe bullying played a significant role in their daughter’s death. The bullying reportedly began at Mountain View Elementary School last August, where Autumn was in the fourth grade. Her parents say they reported the bullying to Roanoke County Public Schools.
“They said they had handled it, and that was about as far as it went. But, as far as we know, what we were told—at least by our daughter—was that it kept happening,” Mark Bushman shared with local media. Making matters worse, the continuous nature of modern bullying creates special challenges for today’s youth. “This is an age where they have tablets and they have phones, so it’s happening around the clock. They can’t really escape,” Autumn’s father explained.
Breaking the Silence About Youth Suicide
Dr. Kathleen Thorell is the Executive Director of Tudor House, an organization focused on suicide prevention. Points out a shocking reality: “I know that in Virginia the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds is suicide.” Although many find it shocking that a child as young as 10 would die by suicide, Thorell emphasizes the importance of open discussions about mental health. “You can do all the right things, you can see the signs, you can offer support, you can share 988 and unfortunately it might still happen,” she noted, referring to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s three-digit number.
The tragedy of Autumn Bushman’s death has sparked important conversations about youth suicide in the Roanoke Valley community and beyond. Importantly, these conversations can save lives by connecting struggling individuals with support.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Among the most critical indicators, one key warning sign of suicide is sudden behavior change. Thorell explains that concerning signs include sleeping more, distancing from friends and family, and losing interest in once-loved activities. Once these signs appear, conversations need to happen. “It’s important to let them know, okay, I know you need your space right now, but I am going to keep checking on you because I care about you,” Thorell advised. These check-ins don’t need to be elaborate. Even a simple text message or sharing mental health resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) can make a difference.
A Call to Action for Parents
The Bushman family is devastated. Despite their pain, they are turning their grief into a mission to help others. Summer Bushman has a clear message for parents: “My biggest message to parents is to please go through your child’s cell phone to make sure that they are being kind to other children [and] to make sure children are being kind to them.”
Though Autumn was allowed to have a phone, her Summer Bushman emphasized that social media was off-limits. Nevertheless, the digital world presents challenges that previous generations of parents didn’t face. On top of this advice, Mark Bushman has also spoken out on social media, stating that ending bullying requires community effort: “Putting an end to bullying is not something achieved by individuals operating alone; it is done by a community banding together.”
Resources for Families in Crisis
The need for mental health support in the Roanoke Valley is undeniable. To illustrate, Carilion Clinic’s Emergency Psychiatry team evaluates about 24 patients daily. They’ve had 700 behavioral health admissions so far this year. To help address this need, Thorell highlighted resources available on the Tudor House website and mentioned their teen ambassador program, which educates teens about suicide warning signs so they can help their peers.
Honoring Autumn’s Legacy
As the Bushman family navigates their grief, they want Autumn’s story to help others. Specifically, through open talks about youth suicide and bullying, they hope to create a better world. Most importantly, they envision a place where children like Autumn Brooke Bushman feel supported, understood, and valued. By bringing these difficult topics into the light, the community honors a young girl whose empathy and kindness touched many lives and made a meaningful impact during her brief ten years.
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