On July 20, 2024, Autumn Crittenden, a recognized figure from MTV’s reality series “16 and Pregnant,” passed away unexpectedly at the age of 27 in Henrico County, Virginia. A mother of three, Crittenden was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her mother and stepfather, following a warning from a family acquaintance.
The Henrico County Police reported that emergency medical services were dispatched following the emergency call. Despite performing CPR, paramedics declared Crittenden dead at the scene. The cause of death is under continuing investigation, although she was known to have multiple health conditions, including diabetes, kidney malfunction, and hypertension.
Her sister, Misty Crittenden, announced the tragic news on Facebook. She expressed deep sorrow and wrote a touching tribute to her sister, praising Autumn’s resilience in maintaining sobriety and her dedication as a mother. The post was later removed but was archived by Starcasm, an established entertainment news outlet.
Crittenden gained public recognition in 2014 when she featured in the fifth season of “16 and Pregnant,” which chronicled her pregnancy and the birth of her first child, Drake. The series portrayed her rocky relationship with Drake’s father, Dustin Franklin, who was jobless and frequently used marijuana. This relationship eventually ended, leading Autumn to seek child support in court.
Despite her turbulent history with Franklin, Autumn later had two additional children, a daughter named Abigail and a son named Luke. Details regarding their exact ages or their father’s identity are not available.
Following her time on the show, Autumn led a relatively private life. She married Brad Oxley in 2017, but the marriage ended shortly after. Rumours circulated about a possible relationship with fellow “16 and Pregnant” star Millina Kacmar, but the specifics of their relationship remain undisclosed. In her later years, Autumn prioritized raising her three children and preserving her sobriety.
Reports indicate that Autumn had recently been experiencing heartburn and had expressed a wish to consult a doctor. These health concerns, combined with her persistent diabetes and kidney problems, may have played a part in her sudden death.
This incident marks another loss for the “16 and Pregnant” franchise. Earlier in the same year, Sean Grainger, another former participant of the show, died in an ATV accident at the age of 20.
Misty, Autumn’s sister, pledged to honor her memory and look after her children. “We will make sure these kids are alright. Your memory will not diminish over time. It will continue to live on each day,” she wrote in her heartfelt tribute.