Tragic Loss at Asheville Academy for Girls: 14-Year-Old Student Dies by Suicide, Prompting State Investigation
The community of Weaverville, North Carolina, is mourning the tragic death of a 14-year-old student at Asheville Academy for Girls, a therapeutic boarding school located on Upper Flat Creek Road. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 3, 2025, and has prompted a comprehensive investigation by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) .
Incident Details
According to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a suicide at the facility around 4:22 p.m. on May 3. The student, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was found deceased at the scene. The sheriff’s office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death .
Asheville Academy for Girls released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “This is a heartbreaking loss, and our deepest condolences are with her family, loved ones, and all who knew her. This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the serious challenges many young people face, and the ongoing need for compassion, connection, and early access to mental health support” .
Facility Background
Asheville Academy for Girls is a residential treatment center that serves girls aged 10 to 14, with some students up to 18 on a case-by-case basis. The facility offers a clinically informed, supportive environment aimed at helping students overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and more .
The academy is owned by Salem, Oregon-based Family Help & Wellness, which operates multiple mental health programs across the United States. Notably, the same company previously owned Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program in Transylvania County, North Carolina, which was shut down by NCDHHS in 2024 following the death of a 12-year-old participant .
Regulatory Oversight
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has initiated a full-scale investigation into the recent incident at Asheville Academy for Girls. The department’s Division of Health Service Regulation is reviewing the facility’s compliance with state regulations and standards for residential treatment centers. Previous inspections of the academy have resulted in statements of deficiency, indicating areas where the facility failed to meet required standards .
Community Response
The tragic event has raised concerns among parents, mental health advocates, and the broader community about the safety and oversight of therapeutic boarding schools. Advocates are calling for increased transparency, stricter regulations, and more robust mental health support for students in such programs.
As the investigation continues, Asheville Academy for Girls has pledged to cooperate fully with authorities and to review its policies and procedures to prevent future tragedies.
This incident underscores the critical importance of mental health support for adolescents and the need for vigilant oversight of facilities entrusted with their care.