Revealed
CHILD STAR TRAGEDY
Mystery of Kailia Posey’s death deepens as chilling details about Toddlers & Tiaras star’s final moments are revealed
LATE Toddlers & Tiaras star Kailia Posey was found dead in a state park a short distance from her family home, law enforcement told The US Sun.
The 16-year-old beauty queen was pronounced dead in Birch Bay State Park, Washington, at around 1.20pm on Monday, Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Jacob Kennett confirmed.
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The 194-acre park is a 30-minute drive away from her family's home in Lynden.
Kennett said WSP was summoned to Birch Bay at 1.26pm on Monday to assist the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office with a "juvenile death investigation."
Posey's cause of death has since been revealed to be suicide. The tragic news was shared in a heartbreaking statement issued by her family early Wednesday.
"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 girl's family told .
Earlier reports suggested that Posey had been involved in a car accident in Las Vegas. While confirming that Posey actually died in her home state of Washington, Kennett said he was unable to comment on whether or not a vehicle was involved in her death.
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Posey attended her high school prom just two days before her shock passing. She also recently celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday on April 19.
A spokesperson for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office declined to share any more information on Posey's death, telling The US Sun: "We are not releasing any information about that because it's an active investigation."
'NO WORDS'
News of Posey's passing was first shared by her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, who took to Facebook early Monday morning to write: "'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."
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Posey starred in the TLC hit series Toddlers & Tiaras alongside her mother for seven seasons between 2009 and 2013. The show chronicled the lives of families whose children competed in beauty pageants.
She started participating in pageants at age three and kept the pastime up throughout her adolescence, most recently competing for the Miss Washington Teen USA title in February.
Posey was a freshman at Lynden High School and recently earned a spot on the school's cheerleading team for the upcoming season, according to family posts on Facebook.
Lynden's cheerleading team shared a series of tributes to its Instagram on Tuesday, with one image showing Posey with wings superimposed across her shoulders and a halo above her head.
The team also shared two quotes, with the first reading: "Please stay. The world is better with you in it."
A second read: "Speaking a few kind words might be the most important thing you will do today."
Her step-father, Steve Gatterman, has ties to the school. He works as a football coach in the Lyden Schools district.
Gatterman shared pictures of Posey's prom on Saturday. He uploaded a gallery of images showing a beaming Posey standing alongside her step-brother Dane.
"Prom night for Kailia and Dane. A good-looking group,"; Gutterman wrote.
'I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER'
Tributes to the late teen have continued to pour in across social media on Tuesday.
Many of Posey's friends and fellow pageanters have taken to Instagram to share their shock and heartbreak over her passing.
"My heart is completely shattered Kailia you were such a ray of sunshine," wrote one pal. "You always had a smile on your face that made others smile!
"You were the most talented person I have ever met! I know I am older but I looked up to you and was amazed by how talented and kind you were.
"I remembered the first time I met you I completely fell in love with your spirit and attitude. I will love you forever."
Her stepbrother Dane Gatterman also posted to Facebook late on Monday thanking friends and family for their outpouring of support.
"I don't even know where to start," he wrote. "I want to thank everyone that has reached out to me or my family.
"Kailia, I can't believe you are gone. I'm so glad you came into my life, the past 8 months have been so great.
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"I'm going to miss you so much my beautiful sister, as will many others.
"Fly high lil sis," he added.
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