Teen pageant contestant and 16-year-old Lynden High School freshman Kailia Posey was found dead Monday, her mother announced.
While authorities released no official cause of death, school officials and others familiar with the case confirmed that it was suspected to be suicide.
“I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman shared on Facebook.
The teenager, who celebrated her Sweet 16 in April, rose to fame as a 5-year-old on “Toddlers & Tiaras,” a TLC reality show that explored the cutthroat world of children’s pageants. She continued to compete in pageants throughout her life, most recently competing to be Miss Washington Teen USA in February.
Lynden High School shared the news with families on Monday, announcing the “unexpected death.”
“This loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students,” Principal Ian Freeman wrote in an email to parents. “We have put together a team of grief counseling staff from across the county trained to help during difficult times such as this.”
Posey was on the Dean’s list last school year and hoped to study aviation in college, according to her bio on Miss Teen USA.
She was a talented contortionist, and previously performed with Cirque du Soleil, in addition to playing Agnes in the 2019 Netflix movie “Eli.” Her face is one of the most recognizable from “Toddlers & Tiaras” after a GIF of her laughing went viral.
The Lynden Chamber of Commerce offered support to the community following the news.
“One of those things one never ever wants to happen happened in Lynden yesterday,” the organization posted on Facebook. “One of our younger community members took their own life yesterday, and we, as are many, many others, are feeling pretty melancholy, to use one of the ‘big words.’”
The Chamber of Commerce reminded the community that “suicide is a tragedy, regardless of age,” and encouraged those experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide to reach out to friends, family, trusted community members and trained professionals for help.
Several Whatcom County law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the details of her death after her body was found in Birch Bay State Park on Monday, according to People.com.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline phone number is 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
