'Toddlers & Tiaras' Star Kailia Posey Dies By Suicide, Family Confirms

KEY POINTS

Kailia Posey's body was found Monday inside a car at a Washington park
She celebrated her 16^th birthday on April 9
Posey was supposed to graduate with honors next month

“Toddlers & Tiaras” star Kailia Posey died by suicide, her family confirmed to TMZ Tuesday.

“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,” her family told the outlet.

On Monday, Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, took to Facebook to announce the news of her demise. Sharing a photo of her daughter dressed in a glittery gown, she wrote, “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.”

Gatterman went on to change her profile photo into a photo of Posey as an angel. She also changed her cover photo to honor the late reality star.

Although Gatterman did not confirm the cause of her daughter’s death at the time, their family set up Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund to get “much-needed resources to students in crisis.”

Hours before her family confirmed her suicide on Tuesday, the Whatcom Sheriff’s Office in Washington had revealed that a multi-agency investigation of Posey’s death was underway. Posey’s body was found Monday inside a car at Birch Bay State Park.

In a statement to People, Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Trooper Jacob Kennet said, “Yesterday on May 2 at about 1:26 p.m., Washington State Patrol was called to assist Whatcom Sheriff’s department to assist in a death investigation involving a minor at Birch Bay State Park.”

The other agencies involved in the investigation include the Washington State Parks Department and the Blaine Police Department, he added.

Posey was only 5 when she joined the TLC series “Toddlers & Tiaras,” which aired from 2009 to 2013 and featured families grooming their children to compete in beauty pageants. She became one of the show’s most recognizable faces after a GIF of her evil grin went viral on social media.

She celebrated her 16^th birthday on April 9 and was supposed to graduate with honors next month.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.