Anne Isenhower, prominent Atlanta publicist takes her own life on New Year’s Day less than one month after suicide death of NYU freshman son, Max Isenhower.
When a mother’s love and grieving becomes all consuming and finally unbearable…
A prominent Atlanta PR consultant has taken her own life following the death of her college freshman son last month.
Anne Isenhower, a veteran public relations consultant based in New York with ties to her native Atlanta took her life on Jan. 1, 2026. The mom’s suicide death follows the unexpected death of her NYU freshman son, Max Isenhower.
Atlanta publicist takes own life following suicide death of NYU freshman son
Max Isenhower, her only child and self-described greatest achievement, began college at New York University last fall but died unexpectedly on Dec. 7, 2025. Comments on social media alluded to the college freshman dying after taking his own life.
Shared Michelle Hiskey,’ I’m sad and also pissed that she recently died by suicide after her son’s death last month in the same manner.
I don’t blame her; I have lived with a loved one’s chronic suicidal ideation and know that losing a child is beyond comprehension. I too hope she and Max are reunited in the afterlife.
I am angry because suicide’s legacy is… suicide.’
Notice of the Atlanta publicist’s death was shared by fellow PR professional and friend of 35 years, Mitch Leff, who on Monday posted in part on Facebook:
‘Anne was one of the best PR professionals in Atlanta, a passionate political activist, a lover of rabbits, and a really bad cook. She was my friend for more than 35 years, from being a “young professional,” through the Atlanta Olympics, working for big PR agencies, and finally being her own boss.
‘But her greatest passion, and what she thought of as her most important achievement and legacy, was her son Max. She wrote recently “Everything I ever did was for him, and every minute I spent with him was a joy.”
‘Max started college at NYU last fall. But on Dec. 7 he died unexpectedly.
Atlanta community heartbroken over loss of PR media icon
‘I’m a PR guy, and Anne was a PR gal. We trade in honesty and transparency, so let me be honest with you all: Anne didn’t see a path forward for herself without Max. On Jan. 1, she made the decision to take her own life.
‘Anne wrote in a letter she left for us that “Wherever Max is, he misses me and he needs me. I want my gentle, sweet, smart, funny, kind, goofy, thoughtful kid who always knew what was in my head and my heart. I’m not religious, but I believe there’s something out there. I will find him, and I will take care of him.
‘In a letter shared by Leff, Anne wrote that everything she did was for Max, and “every minute I spent with him was a joy.” She believed “wherever Max is, he misses me and he needs me,” expressing faith in reuniting with her “gentle, sweet, smart, funny, kind, goofy, thoughtful kid.”
Leff urged others not to judge Isenhower, but rather to celebrate and honor her life of supporting organizations, mentoring and healthcare advocacy. The colleague and close friend noted plans for a gathering at Atlanta’s Manuel’s Tavern, with donation details forthcoming.
Shared a page titled, ‘Living Blue in Georgia,’ ‘Georgia has lost an amazing person and an aggressively dedicated activist. To know Anne Isenhower was to love her. To not know her was an unlucky situation. I worked directly with Anne, and she truly cared about our state and nation. I’ll let her close personal friends and family speak more on the tragedy, but just know… this is a tremendous loss. RIP, Anne and Max.’
