Chris Miller

Name: Chris Miller.
Died: February 12, 2021.
Age at death: 19.
Cause of death: Head injury from being thrown off the back of a pickup truck.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Details:
Chris was bullied at school due to his autism to the point that, at 12 years old, he attempted suicide. He survived the attempt and went on to become an autism and anti-bullying advocate. He was known for his comic book character, “Captain Spectrum”.

At 15, Chris made this Facebook post, explaining what it was like to have autism, sharing his love of his puppy, cooking, Legos, and drawing, and saying, “I am glad so many people like my character Captain Spectrum, I hope he gets to make a movie one day. Mom says to keep my dreams open to all possibilities, anything can happen.”

Chris fell from the back of a pickup truck while helping empty trash into a dumpster, and was brought to the hospital with a shattered skull that ultimately proved fatal. His family donated his organs, so that their son could save lives even in death.

At first, Chris’s death was thought to be an accident; but his mother was worried that Chris’s fall from the truck had not been accidental. Prosecutors now suspect that the driver of the truck, engaging in yet more bullying, had hit the accelerator while Chris was in the back of the truck, causing Chris’s fatal fall. The driver has been charged with homicide.

References:
‘Captain Spectrum’ scholarship created in memory of TN autism advocate
Capt. Spectrum’s mother creating scholarship to honor deceased son
Suspect wanted in death of anti-bullying advocate ‘Captain Spectrum’
Local autism, anti-bullying advocate dies from head injury
Death of autism advocate Chris Miller now under investigation; mother seeking answers
Homicide charges filed in death of anti-bullying advocate ‘Captain Spectrum’
Captain Spectrum | Facebook

Guadalupe Martinez

Name: Guadalupe “Lupita” Martinez.
Died: January 28, 2021.
Age at death: 30.
Cause of death: Stabbing.
Location: Othello, Washington, USA.

Details:
Guadalupe, called “Lupita” by her family, lived with her mother, Dora Martinez, and her mother’s boyfriend.

From her obituary:
Lupe loved life. Her social calendar was always full of birthday parties, weddings, dances, and free Tuesday movies. For years we had to sing happy birthday to her at all of our family birthday parties. She loved dressing up for Sunday mass and having lunch with her mom and grandma. She always made weekend plans on the Sunday before the weekend occurred, she had plans and it was of the utmost importance to stick to those plans.

Lupe loved nail polish, costume jewelry and music. She was most proud of her retail work at Experienced Merchandise.

Many close family members received daily phone calls from Lupe. She didn’t have much to say, only a few quick questions and then she ended the call, whether you wanted it to end or not. If she knew you she would never forget your name and probably knew your mom’s name and who cut your hair. When we forgot someone’s name Lupe always remembered.

When her mother and her mother’s boyfriend got into an argument, her mother’s boyfriend lured her into the garage and stabbed her to death. While he was doing so, Guadalupe walked into the garage, perhaps trying to defend her mother or simply wondering what was happening; so he killed Guadalupe too.

After pleading guilty to murder, the killer was sentenced to 43 years.

References:
Man who killed, dismembered 2 Othello women gets 43 years in prison
‘We are all scared’: Neighbors speak after the murders of two women in Othello
Othello man admits to murdering two women: Court documents/A>
Man Stabs and Chops Up Girlfriend And Her Daughter After Argument

Paul Gladwell

Name: Paul Gladwell.
Died: February 16, 2017.
Age at death: 38.
Cause of death: Death in restraint.
Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, UK.

Details:
Paul was a father to three children, ages 8, 2, and 1. The two-year-old boy had Asperger’s, like his father.

When his son was bullied, Paul went to a bar and confronted the parent of the child who had been bullying his son. The other man headbutted Paul, starting a fight. Police arrived and restrained Paul, one of them kneeling on his neck. When they took him away in a police van, Paul was already unconscious; by the time they called an ambulance, he was brain dead.

References:
Dad who died after being restrained had knee held on his back ‘for around 11 minutes’
Pontins Pakefield death: Tributes paid to man who died
Man dies after falling ill in police custody following incident in Pontins
Man dies after being restrained by Pontins holiday camp staff
Pontins holidaymaker dies after being ‘restrained by guards’ and arrested
Two investigations launched after Paul Gladwell, 38, from Colchester died following a period in police custody
Tiazah Rogers Facebook
Dad dies in police custody after being ‘pinned down and arrested over Pontins bar bust-up’
Holidaymaker, 38, dies ‘after Pontins staff pinned him down’
Investigations continuing after the death of Paul Gladwell following arrest at Lowestoft Pontins
IPCC to investigate death of a man following arrest by Suffolk Police
Tributes flood in to ‘huge character’, Paul, who died after incident at holiday park

James Ecford

Name: James Weldon Ecford Jr.
Died: April 12, 2016
Age at death: 25.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Houston, Texas, USA.

Details:
James’s family was told that he wouldn’t walk or talk, but his family decided that instead of writing him off, they would raise him just like they would any other child, free and independent. And they were right. James was an ambitious, energetic boy who went on to play football in high school. That gained him a college scholarship, which he used to get his BFA in graphic design. He played college football until he quit to focus on his art, and got his degree in six years.

At 25 years old, James lived in the apartment next door to his parents so that he could get help when he needed it.

James was scheduled for a job interview the next day when he heard his mother returning home. In the parking lot, a mugger attacked her. When she yelled for help, James ran to her and grabbed the man around the waist. The man pulled a gun and shot him in the head, then got into a car with three others and drove away.

James died later that night in the hospital. His mother was unhurt.

James’s family has this to say about him:
There is so much good about James that cannot be expressed on paper. He had the purest heart. Perhaps too pure a heart for this tainted world. Anyone who took the time to get to know him knows that he was the gentle illumination of life [in] any room. He was 6’4″, and he was gentle. Not “but gentle”, “and gentle”; for his stature was not a contradiction to his character, but a magnification of it. He was the perfect example of an unconditional love that asks for nothing in return. He was full of gentle, honest, pure love. Intellect, drive, ability, courage, and inner freedom.

The man who killed James has not been caught. Anyone with information is asked to call the Houston PD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

References:
Slain man was protecting his mother from armed robber
Son Killed Protecting His Mom-Robber Still On The Loose
Justice for James Weldon Ecford by Tiffany Nichole Greene – GoFundMe
Man shot, killed saving mother from purse snatcher, police say
Man killed protecting his mother remembered by family
HPD: Son shot dead while protecting mom from purse thief
In Memory of JAMES WELDON ECFORD
Texas man shot dead while trying to protect his mother during robbery
Texas Son Gets Killed While Protecting His Mother From An Armed Robber
Houston Son Fatally Shot While Protecting Mother From Robbery
Son killed trying to protect his mother from armed purse snatcher
Police ID man shot, killed protecting mother during robbery in SW Houston

Makayla Pickett

Name: Makayla Pickett
Died: December 24, 2014
Age at death: 14
Cause of death: Fire (Arson)
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Other victims: Pamela Pickett, 51

Details:
Makayla’s family describes her this way:

Makayla was an inspiring 14 year old girl, who was blind and diagnosed with autism. She had a smile and laugh that would light up a room. Her love for life was infectious and everyone who met her became an instant friend. She touched so many lives during her 14 years…. There was no stranger to Makayla.

Makayla lived with her family, including her great-aunt Pamela. Pamela was an introverted homebody who spent much of her time caring for Makayla and her sister Beverly; Makayla was an extrovert who seemed to love everyone she met.

The family’s house was set on fire deliberately, with fires set at the front and back doors to prevent escape. At the time, five people were in the house–Pamela, Makayla, and three others. When Makayla realized what was happening, she got up and woke her family, probably saving their lives.

Pamela helped three family members escape the house before she stumbled out of the house and collapsed in the yard; she was so injured that she died in the hospital. Makayla never got out; though she had helped save her family, she died in the fire.

The arsonist was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of first-degree arson and sentenced to life without parole.

References:
GUILTY: Jury reaches verdict in murder, arson trial in New Hanover County
Court to hear evidence as trial continues to man accused of murder, arson
‘Please hurry’: Frantic 911 call played in court as Wilmington arson, murder trial begins
Trial begins in 2014 Wilmington murder, arson case
Murder trial begins for man charged in deadly house fire
Trial begins in 2014 Wilmington murder, arson death penalty case
Suspect charged with murder in Wilmington fire deaths
New Hanover DA awaits death-penalty decision in Lingo Street arson case
Family, friends raise money for fire victims’ funeral