Autumn Crittendon, known for her appearance on the reality TV show 16 and Pregnant, has passed away suddenly at the age of 27.
TMZ reports that the mother-of-three died on Saturday at her home in Henrico County, Virginia, where she lived with her three children, her mother, and her stepfather.
Keep reading to know more details!
Efforts to Revive Her Were Unsuccessful
Autumn was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her stepfather.
Despite paramedics’ attempts to revive her with CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of her death remains unknown, adding to the heartbreak of her sudden loss.
Health Struggles and Recent Illness
Autumn had been battling several health issues before her death, including diabetes, kidney problems, and high blood pressure.
She had also recently been feeling unwell, complaining of heartburn and expressing a need to see a doctor.
These ongoing health struggles add a layer of tragedy to her untimely passing.
A Sister’s Heartfelt Tribute
Autumn’s death was announced by her sister Misty in a heartfelt Facebook post, which has since been deleted but was captured by Starcasm.
Misty expressed her deep grief and shock, recalling the moment she learned of her sister’s death and the pain of realizing she was gone.
“To my dearest baby sister, my twin, my rock, my babies’ mother, my go-to, my world, the only one who got me and most of my childhood trauma, who endured it all with me, my Arnold. You were robbed of your life at such a tender age. You left before anyone could tell you goodbye… how much we love you… how amazing you are and how proud we are of you for staying sober through some of the toughest parts of your life, how far you’ve come from where you were, how thankful we are to have had all these years with you, how proud of you we are as a mother, how grateful we are for the three tiny parts of your heart that are still walking this earth.”
Reflecting on Her Life and Struggles
Misty also recounted the devastating moment she arrived at the scene of her sister’s death, hoping against hope that Autumn might still be alive.
“Pulling up seeing all the vehicles, an empty ambulance… and jumping out of the truck as soon as I could, begging the paramedics and cops to tell me you were okay and they were just working to keep you alive in there… But my worst fear was confirmed, and I collapsed in the road.”
She continued to share her grief, describing the surreal and heartbreaking experience of realizing her sister was gone.
“I went down the hall to check the rooms to make sure you weren’t hiding back there, but they laid empty… quiet… I went where you were last and just stood there in disbelief… how was my baby sister gone? I was just talking to her. No way this is real life. It’s not real. Begging God to give you back to us… I seen the shirt you were wearing and I held it so tight, I smelled it for so long as I just stood there empty, broken, finally allowing myself a moment to fall apart while I knew the kids were okay and I was alone. I’ll hold that shirt close to my heart forever. We are gonna make sure these babies are okay. Your memory will not fade over time. It will live on every moment of every day.”
A Reality TV Journey
Autumn’s journey into motherhood was documented on season 5 of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant.
The show followed her as she prepared to welcome her eldest son, Drake, who is now 10 years old, with her then-boyfriend Dustin Franklin.
Autumn also had another son, aged five, and a daughter, aged 18 months.
Challenges in Motherhood and Relationships
Autumn’s episode of 16 and Pregnant highlighted her struggles as she prepared for motherhood while dealing with a rocky relationship with Dustin Franklin.
Franklin, who was unemployed and frequently smoked marijuana, initially resisted making changes for their baby’s sake.
However, he later found a job and tried to turn his life around.
Despite these efforts, Franklin’s failure to provide child support for their son, Drake, led Autumn to take him to court.
Her resilience in facing these challenges was evident to viewers and added depth to her story.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Autumn Crittendon |
| Age at Death | 27 |
| Date of Death | Saturday (exact date not provided) |
| Location | Henrico County, Virginia |
| Children | Three: Drake (10 years old), a 5-year-old son, and an 18-month-old daughter |
| Family | Lived with her three kids, mother, and stepfather |
| Cause of Death | Unknown (was found unresponsive and could not be revived by CPR) |
| Health Issues | Diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure, recent illness (heartburn) |
| Television Appearance | Season 5 of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant |
| Significant Relationships | Then-boyfriend Dustin Franklin (father of her eldest son, Drake) |
| Sister’s Tribute | Heartfelt tribute by sister Misty on Facebook (post later deleted) |
| Career and Challenges | Documented navigating impending motherhood and a rocky relationship on 16 and Pregnant; faced challenges with Franklin, who was initially unemployed and frequently smoked marijuana |
| Legal Issues | Took Franklin to court over failure to provide child support for their son, Drake |
| Legacy | Remembered for her strength, resilience, and love for her children; her story touched many who followed her journey on reality TV |
Remembering Autumn
- Autumn Crittendon leaves behind three young children who will now grow up without their mother.
- Autumn’s memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, a testament to her enduring spirit.
- Her life, marked by challenges and perseverance, touched many who followed her journey on reality TV.
- As her family and friends mourn her loss, they also celebrate the strength and love she showed throughout her life.