In a gut-wrenching statement, the teen beauty queen's family reveals the manner of Kailia's passing after her mother Marcy Posey Gatterman broke the devastating news on Facebook.
- May 4, 2022
AceShowbiz - Kailia Posey died by suicide, her family has confirmed. The grieving family of the former "Toddlers & Tiaras" star has revealed the manner of her death as they lament her "rash decision" to end her life.
In a gut-wrenching statement shared via Facebook, the family says, "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."
The "devastated" family goes on to list her accomplishments and everything she had ahead of her, "She won countless crowns & trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life ... Her highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist had already led to professional touring job offers, and she had recently been selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next fall."
Kailia's family additionally says that the late teen had a love for aviation, and had plans to continue to work in the entertainment industry while pursuing her goal of a commercial pilot's license. The family has since set up Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund with the goal of getting "much needed resources to students in crisis."
Kailia's mom broke the sad news on Facebook on Monday, May 2. "I don't have words or any thoughts," she wrote, along with a picture of her late daughter smiling in a sparkly dress which she wore to a prom last month. "A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever."
While the death is currently under investigation by the Washington authorities, Daily Mail reports that Kailia's body was found Monday inside a car at a park in Washington state. She was discovered by authorities at Birch Bay State Park, a 194-acre state park located along the Strait of Georgia shoreline.
Kailia was only 16 years old. She just celebrated her 16th birthday on April 19 and attended her high school prom over the weekend.
Kailia starred in an episode of "Toddlers & Tiaras", which aired on TLC from 2009-2013. The reality series saw families as they prepped their children for beauty pageants. On the show, Kailia, who was 5 years old at the time, competed in the California Tropic Arizona pageant. She was famous for her reaction during an interview on the show which has been turned into online GIF as the "grinning girl." Following her appearance on the reality series, Kailia continued to compete in pageants.
