Kailia Posey, who became famous with the 'Grinning Girl' GIF, dies by suicide at 16
By ET Online | Updated:
Agencies
Kailia Posey wanted to continue her career in the entertainment industry, and pursue her dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
Highlights
The grieving father of Posey released a gut-wrenching statement on Facebook, confirming that his daughter ended her life
He also requested the 'members of the national media' to stop calling and bugging their friends and family
Posey was just 5 when he appeared on the American reality TV show in 2012
Days before her demise, she was selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next year in autumn
Actress Kailia Posey, known for her performance in the reality TV series 'Toddlers and Tiaras' and becoming the 'Grinning Girl' GIF, passed away at the young age of 16 on Tuesday.
A day later on Wednesday night, the grieving father Steve Gatterman released a gut-wrenching statement on Facebook, confirming that his daughter ended her life. He said that one rash decision ended her 'earthly life'.
His 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."
In his caption, Gatterman requested the 'members of the national media' to stop calling, texting, messaging, and bugging their friends and family.
"We are completely shattered as a family and left with more questions than answers. We ask for privacy as we attempt to find ways to cope with the senseless loss of our beautiful girl," he wrote. "We have no further statement."
Posey's family has set up a fund in her name to provide resources to help students in crisis.
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On Tuesday, alongside a picture of the late actress, mother Marcy Posey Gatterman broke the news on Facebook to announce her sudden demise - without sharing many details. She further requested her fans to respect their privacy.
"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," she added.
Posey was just 5 when he appeared on the American reality TV show in 2012. In the episode titled 'California Tropic Arizona', she was one of the participants in the show.
At the start of the meme trend, her short appearance where she could be seen scrunching up her face and making a silly face became a popular GIF, dubbed the 'Grinning Girl'.
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an icon is gone �� RIP #KailiaPosey https://t.co/BQSupFgE2h
Later, Posey went on to play the role of Agnes in Netflix's horror movie 'Eli' (2019). She had participated in several pageants and won countless trophies for the same. He recently was named the second runner-up of Miss Teen Washington.
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Posey wanted to continue her career in the entertainment industry, and pursue her dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
Days before her demise, she was selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next year in autumn.
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