Warning: This article may contain some distressing information.
Kailia Posey died by suicide at the age of 16, her family has confirmed to TMZ.
The teenager was best known for starring on Toddlers & Tiaras, a TLC reality series that aired between 2009 and 2013 and centered around young girls - and their guardians - in the lead-up to competing in child beauty pageants.
Posey's mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, had announced her daughter's tragic passing in a Facebook post on Monday, May 2. At the time, a cause of death was not given.
In a statement released the following day, Posey's family told TMZ that she died by suicide.
The statement read: "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."
Listing her incredible accomplishments, the family went on to say: "She won countless crowns & trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life ... Her highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist had already led to professional touring job offers, and she had recently been selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next fall."
In the original Facebook post, Gatterman wrote: "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."
Posey, who turned 16 last week, had participated in beauty pageants from the age of three. She was perhaps best known for featuring in a viral GIF from Toddlers & Tiaras, in which she is seen grinning at the camera.
She appeared in 26 episodes of the reality show in 2011, when she was five years old.
The teen's family has since set up a fund with the Whatcom Community Foundation aiming to "help get much needed resources to students in crisis."
Per Sky News, Posey continued competing in pageants following her stint on Toddlers & Tiaras, having taken part most recently in Miss Washington Teen USA in February.
Our thoughts are with Posey's loved ones at this time.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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