Kailia Posey

(CBS NEWS) — Kailia Posey, a 16-year-old pageant queen who appeared on TLC's “Toddlers & Tiaras” when she was 5 years old, has died, her mother announced on ...

Toddlers & Tiaras star Kailia Posey has passed away at the age of 16, her mom confirmed in a Facebook post on May 2.

Kailia appeared on the TLC series alongside her mom Marcy, who trained her to be a contortionist. A cause of death has not yet been shared publicly. I don't know anybody that's competition for Kailia."

Marcy Posey Gatterman said in a Facebook post that her daughter died on Monday, but specific details about the cause or circumstances of her death were not ...

“Toddlers & Tiaras” was a controversial TV show which followed the world of child beauty pageants. Kailia appeared on the TLC show “Toddlers & Tiaras” in 2012, when she was just 5 years old. A scene from one of the episodes – in which she grins – became one of the most popular GIFs on the internet.

Toddlers & Tiaras alum Kailia Posey's mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, confirmed her death on Facebook Monday.

On Sunday, Posey had launched an Instagram account dedicated to showing off her contortion skills. For the profile image, she uploaded a photo of Posey as an angel. In January, she announced she was competing in Miss Washington Teen USA in February. "One word.

Kailia Posey, who as a child starred on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras, has died at age 16 following a reported 'incident in Las Vegas'.

'Our hearts are completely broken,' penned Kelly Costner Patterson. 'Kailia Deliz Posey was such a bright light in everyones life! 'I told your momma just recently that you were one of the most beautiful kids on the inside and out. 'My heart is shattered and I’m still trying to process this news but we will always remember you and miss you. Your last message to me was telling me that you loved me. 'Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,' the grieving mother added, sharing a photo of Posey in her prom dress. Posey is pictured in her prom dress Posey shared this photo to her Instagram feed on April 23. I was looking for you and you said, “Hold on! My favorite memory of you was right before we went on the stage for the production number at Dixieland this past year. She always was so kind to all of us. 16 years just wasn't enough,' pageant make-up artist Natasha Shunta Winn wrote in a Facebook tribute post. Posey recently attended prom with her friends.

Kailia Posey, who appeared at age 5 on the show in an episode titled "California Tropic Arizona," had continued to compete in pageants.

Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.” Her mother posted several photos of Posey on Facebook, including one of her daughter with a halo around her head. She was 16.

Kailia Posey, a pageant queen who was featured on TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras," has died, her mother announced on Facebook. She was 16.

Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” Marcy Posey Gatterman said in a Facebook post on Monday. A beautiful baby girl is gone. A photo of her reaction in an interview during the episode led her to become one of the most recognizable faces in the series.

Kailia Posey, a 16-year-old pageant queen who appeared on TLC's “Toddlers & Tiaras” when she was 5 years old, has died, her mother announced on Facebook.

On April 19, he posted a message for her 16th birthday, writing: “Happy Sweet 16 Kailia! You are beautiful inside and out. Posey appeared on “Toddlers & Tiaras,” which gave a behind-the-scenes look at the world of children’s pageants, at least twice. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” Marcy Posey Gatterman posted on Tuesday, sharing a photo of her daughter in a gown.

Who was Kailia Posey? Learn more about the late "Toddlers & Tiaras" star, pageant pro and aspiring pilot. The TLC star died at age 16 this week.

“She’ll say she’s nervous, but once she hits that stage, she’s a pro.” A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote without disclosing how the teen died. It has circulated far and wide over the last decade.

Whatcom Sheriff's department confirms to PEOPLE they are part of a multi-agency investigation related to the death of Kailia Posey.

For the profile image, she uploaded a photo of Posey as an angel. On Sunday, Posey had launched an Instagram account dedicated to showing off her contortion skills. In January, she announced she was competing in Miss Washington Teen USA in February. "One word. Posey was best known for appearing on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras, which originally aired from 2009 to 2013. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever." PEOPLE has not yet received responses from the Blaine PD or the Whatcom County Medical Examiner.

Kailia Posey, of “Toddlers & Tiaras” fame, is dead at 16, her mother confirmed on social media on Monday. “I don't have words or any thoughts,” Marcy Posey ...

A scene from one of the episodes – in which she grins – became one of the most popular GIFs on the internet. Posey appeared on TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras,” a show that ran from 2009 to 2013 and covered the lives of families as they prepped their children to compete in beauty pageants. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”

"Toddlers & Tiaras" star Kailia Posey has died at age 16, her mother announced. Her cause of death is unknown, but a report claims she was in a car ...

A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote. She became a popular GIF when her evil grin went viral. “Can’t even believe this has happened.

Toddlers and Tiara's Kailia Posey, known for spurring the grinning girl gif, has died at 16.

Today, the teen was still competing in pageants and was also beginning to forge a presence on social media. Of course, the moment from the episode that truly stands out occurred during one of her interviews. Posey was only 16 at the time of her passing.

TLC's 'Toddlers & Tiaras' star Kailia Posey's death is being investigated by Washington police. The 16 year old gained fame as a popular reaction GIF on ...

In a statement, her family wrote: “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.” PEOPLE reported that Washington state police were investigating her death earlier today, but could not provide further details as the victim was a minor. Her mother posted about Posey’s death on The TLC alum became an internet meme and popular reaction GIF from her brief time on Toddlers and Tiaras. After her TLC appearance, Posey continued to compete in pageants and starred as Agnes in the 2019 film Eli.

Toddlers & Tiaras” star Kailia Posey reportedly died by suicide, her family revealed in a statement.

She became a popular GIF when her evil grin went viral. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote. Posey’s family revealed the tragic cause of death in a Tuesday statement to TMZ – a day after news broke the 16-year-old had died.

News of former Toddlers & Tiaras star Kailia Posey's passing was confirmed by her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, on May 2. Now, a statement from her family ...

"The girl went out of her comfort zone and worked so hard in tumbling," Marcy wrote in an April 27 Facebook post. Kailia, who was trained by her mother to be a contortionist, was 5 years old when she appeared on a 2012 episode of Toddlers & Tiaras that documented the California Tropic Arizona pageant. "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's statement read.

Kailia Posey's friend tells Page Six the former "Toddlers & Tiaras" star was "struggling" before her suicide at age 16.

“She was such a ball of energy, her spirit was always high, and constantly had a smile on her face. Her evil grin from the show went viral and is still a popular GIF used today. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” Gatterman initially posted.

Kailia Posey's mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, confirmed her death on Facebook Monday.

In January, she announced she was competing in Miss Washington Teen USA in February. "One word. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever." Elaborating on Posey's accomplishments, the statement continued, "She won countless crowns and trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life…

Just days earlier, the 16-year-old was pictured smiling with friends before her school prom.

She always was so kind to all of us. The family added: “She won countless crowns & trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life... I’m praying for you guys to get through this.

TLC is mourning the loss of one of its rising stars. Toddlers & Tiaras alum Kailia Posey has died at the age of 16. Posey's mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, ...

Toddlers & Tiaras ran on TLC from 2009 to 2013. Toddlers & Tiaras alum Kailia Posey has died at the age of 16. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”

“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 ...

In their statement, Posey’s family said “she won countless crowns and trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” she wrote in a Facebook post. A beautiful baby girl is gone.

Ms Posey starred in the TLC reality series which ran from 2009 to 2013 and featured families who prepared their children to compete in beauty pageants.

In a statement to TMZ, her family confirmed the teenager had taken her own life just days after attending her high school prom. The family has set up a fund in her name to raise money to provide resources for students in crisis. In a statement the teenager's family said she had taken her own life in "one impetuous moment".

Former “Toddlers & Tiaras” star Kailia Posey has died at 16. Her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, shared a photo of her daughter on Facebook and shared the ...

"Our hope is that she will be remembered for her sweet spirit and the way she touched so many lives in a positive way," said the family statement. The family has also established a charitable fund in Posey's honor. The statement described Posey as a "longtime aviation enthusiast" who aimed to "continue in the entertainment industry while pursing (a) commercial pilot license." "She was just 16 years old but had accomplished so much and had such a bright future in front of her," the statement said. “Her smile lit up every room she entered & her sweet spirit will live on forever in our hearts.” A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote in the caption.

Kailia Posey, a 16-year-old former “Toddlers & Tiaras” star, was “struggling” before she died by suicide on Sunday in Washington.

Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” her mother wrote on Facebook. A beautiful baby girl is gone. “We knew she was struggling with a few things, and we all did everything we could to encourage her and help,” Posey’s friend told Page Six. “We didn’t know what was going on.”

Kailia Posey died at 16, her mother said. A cause of death was not released. Many may know her as the 'grinning girl' GIF from her appearance on the TLC ...