Just two weeks after her sweet sixteen, Toddlers and Tiaras star Kailia Posey died on Monday of an apparent suicide. Her family turned to the media on Tuesday to reveal the tragic news about the former reality star and to share how much her death affected them. In confirmation of the young girl’s death, her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, shared a Facebook update that stated, “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.”
In a later statement to the tabloid group TMZ, Gatterman confirmed the girl’s untimely death and stated, “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.”
Although Kailia was just sixteen years old when she died, she had accomplished so much for such a young person. Her family spoke about the numerous victories she had experienced during her life and all of the things she had pursued as adventures.
“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.”
In a conversation with Page Six, a friend of the reality star said that Posey always spoke about her struggles with mental health issues but that the friend did not know things had gotten to such a low point. Posey had served as a role model for many other young girls who were seeking fame in pageants.
“We knew she was struggling with a few things, and we all did everything we could to encourage her and help,” the friend told Page Six, choosing to remain anonymous. “We didn’t know what was going on.”
Authorities found Posey’s body inside a car parked at a park in Washington state. The 194-acre park where her body was found was called Birch Bay State Park. The park includes property that butts up against the Strait of Georgia shoreline. The location is only about nine miles from America’s northern border with its neighbor Canada.
Posey turned sixteen on April 19, 2022, and attended her high school prom over the weekend.
In response to the young woman’s untimely death, her family has created a fund called the Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund. Donations to the charity will go to help provide “much-needed resources to students in crisis.”
The family writes to those who donate, “Thank you for honoring Kailia’s short, beautiful life by helping other young people.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-825), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. It is very important to seek help during moments of need.