News Summary
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has initiated an investigation after two student suicides at the Asheville Academy within a month. Following these incidents, the facility has voluntarily closed, and all staff were terminated. Previous health violations had led to a suspension of new admissions, raising concerns about safety and care standards. The investigation, in cooperation with local agencies, is looking into the academy’s operations amidst troubling reports and legal actions regarding youth treatment centers in the state.
Asheville
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has launched an investigation following the second student suicide at Asheville Academy, a youth treatment center, which occurred on May 29, 2025. This tragic event, reported to authorities on May 30, comes less than a month after the suicide of a 13-year-old girl on May 3, 2025.
As of May 31, 2025, there are no children remaining at Asheville Academy, which has announced its voluntary closure. Staff members were terminated on the same day, marking a significant turn in the facility’s operations after the recent events. Officials have stated that no foul play is suspected in either of the suicides and have extended condolences to the grieving families.
The investigation by NCDHHS is being conducted in cooperation with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. The agency had previously inspected the facility following the first suicide and identified multiple health violations that led to the suspension of all new admissions on May 28, 2025.
Violation of Health Regulations
The NCDHHS determined that Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, was operating Asheville Academy in violation of mental health service licensing regulations. This issue is compounded by the academy’s connections to Trails Carolina, a similar facility that was closed after a 12-year-old boy died within 24 hours of admission in February 2024. The state medical examiner ruled that boy’s death a homicide.
Recurring Concerns
In the wake of these incidents, an investigation was initiated by NCDHHS on May 8, 2025, shortly after the first suicide incident. The findings led to Asheville Academy being ordered to halt all future admissions. Since 2016, there have been a total of 18 reported incidents at the academy, including suicide attempts, allegations of abuse, and assaults, raising deeper concerns about the safety and care provided to the clients.
In response to growing critique and troubling reports about the facility, Asheville Academy deactivated its social media accounts while keeping its website active as of June 3, 2025. Mixed reviews about the academy highlight a range of experiences, with some former clients sharing accounts of trauma inflicted during their time there, while others reported positive changes.
Legal Actions
The recent tragedies have not only prompted an internal review of the Asheville Academy but also shed light on ongoing issues concerning similar institutions in the state. A new lawsuit has been filed alleging that a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and neglected at Trails Carolina in 2018, further revealing systemic concerns regarding the treatment of youth at these facilities.
As Savannah Academy’s executive director has not responded to inquiries from the media regarding the suicides or the circumstances surrounding the facility’s closure, many are left questioning what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Asheville Academy’s closure marks a significant event in the ongoing discussion about the safety and effectiveness of youth treatment centers in North Carolina, raising critical questions about the oversight and regulation of facilities designed to support vulnerable populations.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Closure
- Spectrum Local News: Asheville Academy Suicide
- Fox Carolina: Investigation into Second Death
- ABC News 4: Second Suicide at Asheville Academy
- Google Search: Asheville Academy
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
