(TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains details about suicide which may be triggering to some readers.)
Kailia Posey, a beauty queen who previously starred on TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras, died this week at the age of 16.
Kailia’s death was announced Tuesday by her mother, Marcy, according to The Sun.
“I don’t have words or any thoughts,” Marcy wrote on Facebook. “A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
On Tuesday, Kailia’s family revealed she had taken her own life.
“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 family told TMZ.
It has now been confirmed that Kailia was found hanged in Birch Bay State Park in Washington. She was pronounced dead at the park around 1:20 p.m. on Monday.
Fans of ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ may recall then five-year-old Kaila appearing on the show back in 2012. However, Kailia’s mother said her daughter began participating in pageants at the age of 3.
Kailia was also known for a popular meme that featured her grinning as a five-year-old child on the show in 2012.
According to Kailia’s Instagram bio, she was crowned Miss Teen Lynden, Washington 2022 and continued to be very active in the pageant world following her time on ’Toddlers & Tiaras.’
In addition to her pageant appearances, Kailia was an actress who appeared in the 2018 Netflix film “Eli.”
Notable ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ alum Mama June Shannon and her daughter, Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson have yet to speak out on Kailia’s death.
Kailia’s family has started a fund at the Whatcom Community Foundation in Kailia’s name to provide resources for other students in crisis.
Click here to donate to the Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund.
You can watch a clip of ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ featuring a then-10-year-old Kailia below.
(Photos: Instagram; TLC)
I’m further south in wa state but that park is pretty open from what I remember . How horrific. Lockdown barely ended here 2 months ago and it greatly affected kids. Our beach areas are notoriously gloomy and sad and our weather doesn’t help. I’m sure many factors are at play but these are a few I can think of
I don’t know who she is but there seems to have been a jump in suicide lately. This is so sad. No matter the cause.
I saw today that it was suicide. You are right, the uptick is sad and the suicides seem to come as they are on the brink of something positive (Naomi Judd, Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade too). I wish folks with mental illness could be helped enough to avoid leaving their loved ones. May the rest in peace.
I can’t begin to imagine the loss and devastation that her family feels. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. Gone far too soon. R.I.P. and Power, Kailia.
How sad! She was adorable on T&T. Pretty young lady.
It breaks 💔. Hopefully her death as well as all the other recent suicides will be an eye opener to all of us that know someone struggling. You can never judge a person by their outward appearance. Obviously look how beautiful this young is and how much she had going for her.
So very 😔