In a brief statement, Kailia Posey‘s family has confirmed that she died by suicide at the age of 16.
Her mourning relatives revealed Posey’s cause of death. Whatcom County Medical Examiner told The Sun the cause of death was due to hanging, “and it’s a suicide.”
Miss Posey hit stardom by appearing in the reality show Toddlers & Tiaras on TLC. The former child star celebrated her birthday with friends and family members on April 19.
Over the weekend, she attended her high school prom wearing a beautiful gown and posed for pictures.
In a brief statement to TMZ, Posey’s relatives confirmed that she made the “rash decision” to take her own life.
Kailia Posey made a ‘rash decision’
The family told the publication: “Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately, in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life.”
Monday, Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, shared a heartbreaking post on Instagram announcing her daughter’s death.
At that time, she did not reveal any details about the tragic event, alongside a photo of the beauty queen, Gatterman grieved the loss of her child with these words: “I don’t have words or any thoughts.”
She went on to ask for privacy during this challenging moment: “A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
Authorities in Washington state confirmed that Kailia Posey’s body was discovered in a car on Monday, May 2.
The vehicle was parked in Birch Bay State Park — which is located near the Canadian border. It is not known how long she was in the car nor why the police decided to search it.
A spokesperson for the Washington State Police said in a brief statement: “Yesterday on May 2 at 1:26 pm, Washington State Police was called to assist Whatcom County Sheriff on a juvenile death investigation at Birch Bay State Park.”
Kailia Posey had a star turn on TLC’s ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’
As her family said in the statement, at the young age of 16, Kailia Posey was accomplished beyond her years.
Miss Posey entered the world of pageantry at three years old, and she and her relatives captivated fans by starring in Toddlers and Tiaras, where she competed and won multiple beauty pageants.
Gatterman said during one of their Toddlers and Tiaras episodes: “When Kailia was younger, when she was 3, she started doing pageants. She’s a pro when she hits that stage. She’ll say she’s nervous, but once she hits that stage, she’s a pro. She’s gonna beat you every time.”
She continued: “Kailia has a very good talent. I mean, just completely amazing. I don’t know anybody that’s competition for Kailia.”
Her massive smile and grin made her an Internet meme. Kailia Posey never left the pageant circuit, and in 2021, she earned the title of Miss Lynden Teen USA.
In February 2022, she went for the Miss Washington Teen USA title and lost.
@kailiaposey @kalichanik prom?!
Kailia Posey had a bright future and wanted to be a pilot
In 2018, she landed a role in the Netflix movie Eli. Miss Posey was a stellar student enrolled at Lynden High School in Washington who had plans to go to college with a foot in the entertainment industry.
@kailiaposey 👑
After high school, the teen planned to study aviation in college and become a commercial pilot.
Kailia Posey was passionate about contortion and performed with Cirque du Soleil.
She recently launched an Instagram account dedicated to the art form.
Posey’s family has created the Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund with the aim of helping “much-needed resources to students in crisis.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or dealing with other emotional issues, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
