UPDATED 5/3, 11:45 p.m. ET: Kailia Posey’s family told TMZ via a statement that the 16-year-old died by suicide.
“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,” Posey’s family said.
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Kailia Posey, a young star of TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras and face of a viral grinning meme, has died at the age of 16, her mother shared to Facebook.
Marcy Posey Gatterman shared a photo of her late teenage daughter to social media on Monday, announcing that Kailia “is gone,” as she asked for privacy for her family. Her cause of death remains unknown.
“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,” the mother wrote.
Posey appeared on the TLC program at least twice and her mother said in a 2016 episode that she began to do pageants at age 3, per CBS News. In 2012, Posey’s name became even more well known after she made her iconic grinning face on camera at age 5, spawning the iconic reaction meme—shown up above—for years to come.
According to the Miss Teen Washington pageant website, Posey attended Lynden High School and hoped to study aviation and eventually become a commercial pilot after graduation.
Even with aviation dreams, Posey was still very much on the pageant circuit, announcing earlier this year that she’d be competing in the February Miss Washington Teen USA pageant, as she represented the city of Lynden, Wa. Our thoughts go out to Posey and her family.
If you are currently struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone. Help is available.
