The parents of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman, a fourth-grader at Mountain View Elementary School in Roanoke, Virginia, are mourning the sudden loss of their daughter. Mark and Summer Bushman shared that they had noticed changes in Autumn’s behavior weeks before her tragic passing.
“She was the youngest and probably the wildest,” her mother said. “She was full of energy—always doing cartwheels in the living room.” But in the weeks leading up to her death, Autumn began sleeping more, smiling less, and wearing darker clothes.
Her obituary described her as deeply empathetic, soft-hearted, and always willing to listen or offer support. Sadly, her parents say she became a victim of bullying—both at school and online. Despite reporting the bullying to the school, they say little action was taken.
Autumn often stood up for others, which may have made her a target. “If someone was being picked on, she would defend them,” her mother said. “Unfortunately, that may have led to more bullying.”
Her father added that social media made the situation worse. “At this age, they all have tablets and phones—it happens around the clock. They can’t really escape it,” he explained.
In a statement, Roanoke County Public Schools called Autumn’s death a “tragic loss” and expressed sympathy for her family and community. The district said it takes all reports of bullying seriously and is conducting a thorough review of the situation.
School officials emphasized that they work with families to address conflicts and educate students on kindness and respect. Meanwhile, Autumn’s parents are urging others to watch for warning signs and take them seriously.
“Go through your child’s phone,” Summer urged. “Make sure they’re being kind—and that others are being kind to them.” The Bushman family’s tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of awareness and compassion.
