Asheville Academy has voluntarily forfeited its license, permanently shuttering its operations following the deaths of two residents by suicide in May, according to a document obtained Monday by Asheville Watchdog.

“I am writing to voluntarily surrender our license, effective immediately, as the decision has been made to close Asheville Academy,” Executive Director Shawn Farrell told the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in a June 4 letter. 

 “All students were discharged as of Saturday, May 31st, 2025, and the program ceased operations on that date. All employees have been notified of the cessation of business operations and the landlord has been made aware the lease will not be renewed.” 

Despite the forfeiture, an NCDHHS investigation into the suicides at Asheville Academy is “ongoing,” spokesperson Summer Tonizzo said.

Asheville Academy was listed as a Residential Treatment Facilities For Children & Adolescents with slots for 90 residents, according to the 2025 license. It was owned by Oregon-based Family Help & Wellness, which did business as Wilderness Training & Consulting and operated several programs at the Weaverville site through the years, including Solstice East and a rebranding of that program, Magnolia Mill School.

Farrell and Family Help & Wellness did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

Asheville Academy closed on May 31, two days after a 12-year-old girl died by suicide there. On May 3, a 13-year-old girl died by suicide, prompting NCDHHS to suspend further admissions to the program.

The deaths were not the first at a residential treatment program run by Family Help & Wellness.

In early 2024, a child died less than 24 hours after arriving at the Trails Carolina outdoor program in Transylvania County. An autopsy determined he had died after he couldn’t breathe after being placed in a tent, and his death was determined to be a homicide.

No charges were filed in the case, but NCDHHS suspended the facility’s license, forcing it to permanently close.

Asheville Academy was beset by issues and fears of closure before the suicides in May. A Family Help & Wellness vice president wrote parents and staff in early 2024 in an effort to quell increasing concerns about the program, especially after the departure of several therapists. 

By August 2024, the program, then known as Magnolia Mill School, had shrunk to just four residents.

[Editor’s note: If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In addition, Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.]

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Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Andrew R. Jones is a Watchdog investigative reporter. Email arjones@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s local reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

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