The outlet confirmed the news Tuesday, and shared a statement from the 16-year-old’s heartbroken family.
“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,” relatives said, per TMZ.
Elaborating on Posey’s accomplishments, the statement continued, “She won countless crowns and 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.”
Posey’s family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. A foundation in her name has since been established through theWhatcom Community Foundationin Washington state.
Posey’s mother Marcy Posey Gatterman confirmed the news of her daughter’s death onFacebookMonday. At the time, Gatterman shared a photo of the teen smiling in the sparkly gown she wore to prom last month.
Kailia Posey Facebook
Gatterman later updated her profile photo and cover image to honor her late daughter, uploading images picturing Posey as an angel.
On Tuesday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Officeconfirmed to PEOPLEthat it was part of a multi-agency investigation related to the death of the former TLC star.
Washington State Patrol could not formally confirm the identify the subject of the death investigation as the individual is a juvenile, but did confirm to PEOPLE it is involved in an ongoing death investigation.
Washington State Parks Department also confirmed the investigation to PEOPLE.
Kailia Posey inToddlers & Tiaras.TLC
Posey was best known for appearing on TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras, which originally aired from 2009 to 2013. The high schooler was 5 years old when sheappeared on one episodeof the reality series, which saw her compete in the California Tropic Arizona pageant, and she became one of the series' most recognizable faces after her reaction in an interview became a popular gif.
Posey continued to compete in pageants after her brief stint on the show. In January, sheannounced she was competingin Miss Washington Teen USA in February. “One word. Thankful,” she captioned a post onInstagram.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
