News Summary
Asheville Academy has announced its voluntary closure after two tragic student suicides occurred within the month of May 2025. In response to investigations and public concerns, all staff members were terminated and clients discharged. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the facility for licensing violations. The situation highlights pressing questions regarding the safety and oversight of therapeutic schools in the region, as families seek accountability and answers.
Weaverville, North Carolina – Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school located in Weaverville, has announced a voluntary closure following the tragic deaths of two students by suicide within the month of May 2025. The administration made this announcement on May 28, amidst ongoing investigations and increased public scrutiny surrounding the facility.
On May 3, a 13-year-old girl, who had been enrolled in the program, tragically died by suicide. This incident was further compounded by a second suicide that occurred on May 29, involving a 12-year-old girl. Both cases have led the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to confirm the deaths while expressing support for the affected families.
In an effort to address the serious concerns raised by the community and authorities, management at Asheville Academy terminated all staff members on May 31, 2025. As of the same date, all clients had been discharged from the facility, marking a significant change in its operations.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) initiated an investigation on May 8, following the first reported suicide. The situation escalated when, on May 27, 2025, the NCDHHS took the decisive step to suspend all future admissions to Asheville Academy due to multiple licensing violations that had come to light. These violations included serious deficiencies that posed risks to the health and safety of the young clients receiving care at the facility.
Asheville Academy is managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, which is currently under investigation for operating the facility in violation of licensing rules regarding mental health services. The scrutiny surrounding the institution is heightened by a previous incident linked to Wilderness Training & Consulting, where another program, Trails Carolina, was shut down in February 2024 after the death of a 12-year-old boy just one day following his admission.
The findings of the NCDHHS pointed to conditions at Asheville Academy that were deemed detrimental to the well-being of the students. As of June 2, state health officials confirmed that all children had been removed from the facility, although Asheville Academy’s license had not yet been revoked. The situation continues to develop, as North Carolina health officials are collaborating with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services on the ongoing investigations.
In light of these events, Asheville Academy has taken steps to deactivate its social media accounts, but its website remains accessible as of June 3, 2025. The facility’s closure and the investigations raise significant questions about the safety and oversight of therapeutic schools in the region, as families seek answers and accountability in the wake of these tragedies.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Therapeutic School Closure
- ABC News4: Asheville Academy Second Suicide
- Spectrum Local News: Asheville Academy Suicide
- MSN: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Investigating
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Admission Suspensions
- Wikipedia: Therapeutic Day School
- Google Search: Asheville Academy Suicides
- Google Scholar: Therapeutic Schools
- Google News: 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.
