Autumn Crittenden, a former star of MTV’s reality series “16 and Pregnant,” died unexpectedly at age 27 on July 20, 2024, in Henrico County, Virginia. Crittenden, a mother of three, was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom by her stepfather and her mother after a family friend had alerted them something was wrong.
According to Henrico County Police, emergency responders arrived after receiving the emergency call. Despite paramedics’ efforts to perform CPR, Crittenden was pronounced dead on-site. The cause of death remains under investigation, but she was experiencing multiple health issues, including diabetes, kidney problems, and high blood pressure.
Autumn Crittenden’s sister, Misty, shared the news on Facebook, expressing profound grief and loss. To my beloved baby sister, my twin, my rock…your life was taken away at such a young age,” Misty wrote. She commended Autumn for maintaining sobriety through tough periods and for her commitment as a mother. The post was later removed but was archived by Starcasm, a well-known entertainment news site.
Crittenden first gained public attention in 2014 when she appeared on the fifth season of “16 and Pregnant,” documenting her pregnancy and the birth of her eldest son, Drake. The show depicted her struggles with then-boyfriend Dustin Franklin, who was unemployed and regularly smoked marijuana. The relationship eventually crumbled, and Autumn had to take Franklin to court for child support.
Despite her tumultuous past relationship with Franklin, Autumn went on to have two more children, a daughter named Abigail and a son named Luke. There is no indication of their exact ages or who their father is.
Autumn’s life after the show was relatively private. She married Brad Oxley in 2017, but the marriage ended shortly after. She was rumored to have dated fellow “16 and Pregnant” star Millina Kacmar, though details about their relationship remain unclear. In recent years, Autumn focused on raising her three children and maintaining her sobriety.
A media source reported that Autumn had been complaining of heartburn recently and had expressed a desire to see a doctor. These health concerns, coupled with her ongoing issues with diabetes and kidney problems, may have contributed to her sudden passing.
Autumn’s death marks another loss for the “16 and Pregnant” franchise. Earlier this year, Sean Grainger, another alum of the show, passed away in an ATV accident at the age of 20.
Autumn’s sister, Misty, promised to preserve her memory and care for 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,” Misty wrote in her heartfelt tribute.