Autumn Crittendon, known for her appearance on Season 5 of 16 and Pregnant, passed away at the age of 27 in a heartbreaking turn of events, and now, her cause of death has been confirmed.
The reality TV star, who had documented her struggles and triumphs as a young mother on the hit MTV show, was found unresponsive in her home in Henrico County, Virginia, in July.
Despite efforts to save her through CPR, she was later pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind her three young children and a devastated family.
Fans have been left heartbroken, with one penning: “She will be deeply missed, but her memory will always live on in our hearts.”
Another adds: “This is just too sad. I can’t stop thinking about her kids.”
Autumn’s story resonated with many viewers during her time on 16 and Pregnant, which aired in 2013.
The show followed her as she navigated the challenges of impending motherhood at a young age, alongside her then-boyfriend, Dustin Franklin.
The couple welcomed their son Drake, now 10, while grappling with relationship issues.
Franklin, who was unemployed at the time, admitted to regularly smoking m******** and initially refused to quit despite the responsibilities of becoming a father.
Though he eventually found a job and tried to turn his life around, Autumn’s episode ended with her confronting the reality of single motherhood, taking Franklin to court over his failure to provide child support for their son.
In the years following the show, Autumn became a mother to two more children – a son and a daughter, aged five and 18 months at the time of her death.
While she appeared to be dedicated to her role as a mother, reports suggested that she had been struggling with various health issues before her death.
These included diabetes, kidney problems, and high blood pressure, which likely contributed to her declining health.
Additionally, it was reported that Autumn had recently been feeling unwell, complaining of heartburn, and expressing a desire to see a doctor before her sudden passing.
Autumn’s death was first announced by her sister, Misty, in a heartfelt Facebook post that was later deleted but captured by the Daily Mail.
Misty shared her anguish and disbelief over losing her ‘baby sister’ so suddenly.
“To my dearest baby sister, my twin, my rock,” she wrote, “You were robbed of your life at such a tender age… how proud we are of you for staying sober through some of the toughest parts of your life.”
Misty also recalled the devastating moment she arrived at the scene, praying for a miracle but ultimately realizing her worst fears.
“I collapsed in the road,” she wrote, describing her overwhelming grief and shock.
Despite her struggles, Misty praised Autumn for her resilience and the love she showed her children.
In her emotional post, she promised that Autumn’s memory would live on: “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.”
According to a report from the Virginia Department of Health, which was obtained by TMZ, Autumn Crittendon’s cause of death was determined to be toxicity from fentanyl and para-fluoro-fentanyl, both synthetic opioids.
The manner of death was classified as accidental, highlighting the tragic circumstances of her passing.
