Hollywood director Zack Snyder remembers daughter Autumn on anniversary of her suicide: 'A father's love never ends'

Renowned director Zack Snyder took to Instagram this week to pay tribute to his late daughter Autumn, who died by suicide in 2017 at age 20.

The 60-year-old filmmaker, who stepped down as Justice League director in the wake of his loss, shared a photo of Autumn with Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel and added a heartfelt caption.

He wrote: 'A father’s love for his daughter never ends, even when her time here does.'

Nine years after Autumn died, the grieving dad added: 'There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing a child or the emptiness that lasts a lifetime. The years may pass, but the love, the memories, and the longing to have her here with us never fade.'

The Hollywood veteran invited his 898,000 followers to support a suicide prevention walk in Autumn's memory.

'If you are able, please consider making a donation to support us as we walk to honor Autumn this Saturday. These donations, no matter how small, help fund life-saving research, suicide prevention education, and support for families who know the unimaginable heartbreak of losing someone they love,' Snyder wrote, directing fans to the link in his profile.

Renowned director Zack Snyder took to Instagram this week to pay tribute to his late daughter Autumn, who died by suicide in 2017 at age 20; picture in 2023

(Source: AFSP Walks Donor Drive)

He concluded: 'Autumn will always be my daughter, our heroic archer. She will always be loved and always be a part of everything I do.'

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention link shared by Snyder, he and his family will walk as Team Ironwill.

The Out of the Darkness walk⁠ will take place on November 7 in Pasadena, California. 

So far, $11,396 has been raised, soaring beyond the $500 goal.

A description on the site reads: 'In 2017, our lives were forever changed when we lost our beloved daughter and sister, Autumn. 

'Although years have passed, Autumn's absence is something we feel and carry on a daily basis. We walk not only to honor her life and the love she left behind, but also in hopes to helping other families avoid the heartbreak and pain of losing a loved one to suicide.'

It continued: 'Through these walks, we hope to raise awareness and help end the stigma surrounding mental health.

'We walk for Autumn. We walk for us. We walk for anyone silently struggling. You are not alone. You are never alone.' 

He wrote, 'A father’s love for his daughter never ends, even when her time here does' (Source: Zack Snyder Instagram)

Snyder pictured with longtime wife Deborah Snyder in April 2024

⁠In May 2017, two months after Autumn's untimely death, Snyder announced he was stepping down from directing Justice League. 

The superhero movie went into hiatus for two weeks as the filmmaker tried to recover from the devastating loss. 

He told The Hollywood Reporter at the time: 'In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was way through it.'

However, he added: 'The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming. And in the last two months, I’ve come to the realization… I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me.

'They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.'

Autumn was one of four children Snyder shared with his first wife, Denise Weber. He also has two kids from a relationship with Kirsten Elin.

He and current wife Deborah have also adopted two children. Deborah, who was a producer on the film, also stepped back from the project.

Joss Whedon filled in as director to shoot additional scenes and shepherd the movie through post-production.