The heartbroken parents of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman are speaking out after their vibrant, free-spirited daughter tragically died by suicide.
In the weeks leading up to the March 21 tragedy, Autumn — a fourth-grader at Mountain View Elementary School in Roanoke — began showing subtle but alarming signs of emotional distress. Her parents, Mark and Summer Bushman, recalled how their energetic “ball of energy,” once constantly cartwheeling through the house, slowly lost her spark.
“She was our youngest, our wild, free spirit,” Summer said. “It didn’t matter if she was crashing through the living room floor — she was always full of life.”
But in the days before her death, that light began to dim. Autumn started sleeping more, smiling less, and dressing in darker clothes — changes that deeply concerned her family.
Mark and Summer say they had alerted school officials about the bullying their daughter endured, especially after Autumn bravely stood up for classmates who were also being targeted.
“She couldn’t just stand by when someone was being hurt,” Summer shared. “She would step in and defend them. Sadly, that made her a target, too.”
Despite reassurances from the school that the issue was being addressed, Autumn told her parents the harassment never stopped — and it continued online.
“At this age, kids have tablets and phones. The bullying doesn’t end when the school day does,” Mark explained. “It follows them home. There’s no escape.”
Mountain View Elementary released a statement confirming they are actively investigating the events surrounding Autumn’s death, emphasizing their commitment to taking all reports of bullying seriously.
The Roanoke community has been left devastated. Close family friend Cher Nelson Johnson posted a tribute video of Autumn’s life, writing:
“This is utterly heartbreaking. A sweet, loving young soul lost because of bullying. A beautiful girl from Roanoke, gone far too soon. Please keep the Bushman family in your thoughts — and talk to your kids about bullying. It has to stop.”
In honor of Autumn’s memory, her family is inviting the public to attend her visitation and funeral services this weekend, hoping her story will spark real change and awareness about the painful, lasting impact of bullying.