Kailia Posey cause of death news – Toddlers & Tiaras star’s Instagram flooded with tributes as family reveal new details

Final days: Birthday wishes

Just days before her tragic death, Kailia celebrated both her prom and her 16th birthday.

On April 20, Kailia took to her  to celebrate her milestone birthday.

In a gallery post, she shared photos with friends and her family alongside some birthday-themed emojis and hashtags such as: #birthdaygirl #bestfriend #fundays #dinner #washington and #feelinggood.

Who was Kailia Posey, part four

Kailia Posey attended Lynden High School and had made the Dean's list for the 2020-2021 school year, according to the .

She aspired to study aviation when she went to college and her ambition was to become a commercial pilot.

"Kailia hopes to show members of her generation that they can positively impact the world if they are patient and work hard," the bio says.

Who was Kailia Posey, part three

Kailia Posey continued to compete in pageants as she got older and announced in February 2022 that she would be competing yet again.

"I’m going to be competing in Miss Washington teen USA in February and I am so excited!" she wrote on Instagram.

Who was Kailia Posey, continued

"She's a pro when she hits that stage, she'll say she's nervous but once she hits that stage she's a pro. She's gonna beat you, every time," her mom Marcy Posey Gatterman added.

Gatterman continued, "Kailia has a very good talent. I mean, just completely amazing. I don't know anybody that's competition for Kailia."

Who was Kailia Posey?

Kailia Posey starred in Toddlers & Tiaras in 2012 when she was just 10 years old and her mom trained her to be a contortionist as part of her talent.

In a clip from the show posted on , Gatterman said, "When Kailia was younger, when she was 3, she started doing pageants."

Kailia died days after prom

Only two days before her death was announced, Kailia Posey shared a TikTok that showed her and a friend wearing gowns and dancing and titled it: "prom?!"

The teen's stepdad Steve Gatterman shared pictures of Posey's prom on Saturday.

He uploaded several images showing a beaming Posey standing alongside her step-brother Dane.

"Prom night for Kailia and Dane. A good-looking group," Gutterman wrote.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund

On the page for the fund Kailia Posey’s family has established in her honor, a statement reads, “Your gift to the  will help get much needed resources to students in crisis.”

“Thank you for honoring Kailia’s short, beautiful life by helping other young people.”

Family establishes intervention fund

Kailia Posey’s family told  that the teen took her own life.

Her family reportedly told the outlet: “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.”

Kailia’s family has set up  with the goal of getting “much needed resources to students in crisis”.

Kailia’s best friend, continued

Biancha continued and added that Kailia had, “Taught me my first routine the night before the pageant. Rehearsed your lines before Ms. Teen Washington.”

“Took me on a cruise that brought so many memories for me. We went to Jamaica and found a cutie (shhh I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone),” she added.

“To our crazy tik toks we made. And shaking our booties for fun. I love you. I wish I could’ve done something.”

“You are in my prayers,” she continued. “I will miss you forever and always. Rest in paradise Kailia Posey.”

‘To my beautiful best friend’

Kailia Posey tagged a girl named Biancha on her , and Biancha shared a  on her own social media page.

“To my beautiful best friend, I’ll love you forever and ever. You were an amazing, beautiful person inside and out,” she began the post.

“Words cannot explain how painful this is, not only to me but all of the people that love you.”

“From the first day I met you I knew we were going to be best friends. You were such a bright and happy soul.”

“I’m so thankful for you Kailia, you truly brought out the happiest side of me. You reminded me to always be kind no matter how hard it was,” she added.

Pageant executive producer remembers Kailia, continued

Pageants Northwest is in charge of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant qualifiers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

In February, Posey competed in the Washington pageant and finished second runner-up.

She also won the Miss Photogenic award, which was decided by the general public.

“She was such a nice gal, she was so nice to our team, fellow contestants,” Francisco said about Kailia in the interview.

“I just remember her during pageant weekend, and she was constantly smiling, laughing, and she is a typical teen. The energy around her – she is definitely going to be greatly missed.”

Pageant executive producer remembers Kailia

Maureen Francisco, who worked with Posey at her most recent pageant, said she was shocked when she learned the news of Posey’s death in an interview with .

Francisco said: “When I first saw the post that her mom posted about Kailia, I was in shock, I didn’t believe it. At first, I thought maybe her mother’s Facebook got hacked, so I had to wait. I realized it wasn’t going away, that this is actually real.

“That’s when it really hit me like wow.”

Where did Kailia Posey die?

The teen beauty queen hanged herself at the state park where her body was found just a short distance from her family home.

Whatcom County Medical Examiner told The Sun the cause of death was due to hanging “and it’s a suicide.”

Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Jacob Kennett confirmed the 16-year-old beauty queen was pronounced dead in Birch Bay State Park, Washington, at around 1.20pm on Monday.

Signs a loved one is suffering: struggling with everyday life

Tasks such as work can often feel mundane or laborious for people who are feeling depressed.

Simple acts like doing the laundry may seem laborious if your loved one is feeling depressed.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Irritability

Sometimes when people are depressed, they find it difficult to think about anything else – this makes everything else seem insignificant to them.

If your loved one is snapping at your or is getting annoyed at small things, then try and ask them how they are feeling.

If they don’t feel comfortable talking to you about these issues, there are online tools and helplines available where they can talk to people.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Lost interest in hobbies

The pandemic had meant that for a long time, many were unable to do things they enjoyed.

Now restrictions have lifted, meaning that people can get back to the gym or meet a friend for a drink.

If your loved one keeps refusing plans and doesn’t want to go out, then this could be a sign that they are depressed.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Put themselves down

A common trait of someone who is feeling depressed is to belittle themselves.

This could be by chastising themselves for their behavior or their work.

But they could also put themselves down for the way they look.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Less effort in appearance

If your loved one is feeling depressed, they may start to lose interest in the way they look.

Some people may feel as though there is “no point” in making an effort to look nice.

This is due to the feeling that they don’t matter, so quite often they may push their self-care needs back.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Withdrawal

Some people find it difficult to communicate if they are feeling depressed, and because of this they may become withdrawn.

Your loved one could stop talking to you or become less affectionate toward you.

They may also struggle to hold conversations and may seem to lose interest in what you have to say.

Signs a loved one is suffering: Change in routine

As most are now heading back to the office and as kids are going back to school after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, changes in routine might become more noticeable.

This could mean that they are eating less or more than normal or even skipping meals.

Others may change how often and when they sleep.

‘Grinning girl’ GIF

One of Kailia’s moments on Toddlers & Tiaras turned into a popular gif online.

In the clip from 2012, a five-year-old Kailia grins mischievously. The gif is still popular and remains in use today, especially on Twitter.

America’s Got Talent star mourns Kailia, continued

“I am sick & saddened by some of the junk that has been posted about my friend @kailiaposey,” Kadan wrote alongside various photos that show him and the pageant queen as children together.

“Her smile lit up every room she entered & her sweet spirit will live on forever in our hearts. I cannot began [sic] to comprehend WHY. If only I could have talked to you one more time.

“If you or anyone you know is struggling, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. PLEASE reach out to family, friends or most any other human!”

America’s Got Talent star mourns Kailia

America’s Got Talent star Kadan Rocket has said he is “sick and saddened” by “junk” online posts after Kailia’s death was announced.

Kadan, best known for wowing the America’s Got Talent judges with his magician skills, reacted to Kailia’s tragic death on Instagram.

“You know her from the TV show Toddlers & Tiaras, the Netflix movie, ELI, her viral video & GIF, as an incredible contortionist as well as Pageant Queen but to me, she was Kailia; my first ‘girlfriend,’ my first magicians assistant & my forever friend,” he said in his Instagram post.

Kailia’s risky stunt, continued

While some of her followers were impressed, her pageant coach, Cambrie Littlefield, decided to warn the teen.

“This photo stresses me out… be careful, lol,” Cambrie wrote, to which Kailia simply responded with a horned devil emoji.