Death of teen found in Birch Bay State Park last week confirmed to be suicide
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner has confirmed Wednesday, May 11, that the death of a 16-year-old female found in Birch Bay State Park last week was by suicide.
“Her identity will not be released here out of respect for the family,” the medical examiner’s website stated, adding that the cause of death was asphyxia due to ligature hanging and the manner of death was suicide.
The Washington State Patrol Trooper Jacob Kennett told The Bellingham Herald Wednesday that the investigation into the death is ongoing, and because of that, no other information, including the teen’s identity, can be released.
Numerous national media outlets and social media posts from the teenager’s family have reported that the body that was found May 2 in Birch Bay State Park was that of Kailia Posey, who was a childhood star on TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras” and a student at Lynden High School.
On May 2, Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, posted about the death of her daughter on Facebook, saying, “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 starred in the TLC series that followed the families of children who competed in beauty pageants that ran for seven years (2009-13), according to a Daily Mail article, and she continued to compete as a teen.
She recently participated in the 2022 Miss Washington Teen USA pageant, where her bio listed her as being a freshman at Lynden High School. The bio also stated she plans to study aviation in college and become a commercial pilot.
Posey’s social media accounts show pictures of her in Lynden and elsewhere in Whatcom County, including one photo in a July 31, 2021, post taken in Birch Bay. A Feb. 5 post shows her wearing a Miss Lynden Teen USA sash.
Posey began doing pageants when she was 3 years old, her mother said on “Toddlers & Tiaras.”
“She’s a pro once she hits that stage,” her mom said on the show. “She’ll say she’s nervous, but once she hits that stage she is a pro. She’s going to beat you — every time.”
In addition to competing in pageants, Posey performed with Cirque du Soleil and appeared in the Netflix film “Eli,” according to her Miss Washington Teen USA biography.
The autopsy and toxicology reports are not public information, according to the medical examiner’s post on Wednesday.
Resources
Lt. Claudia Murphy of the Bellingham Police Department recommends if people find themselves or a friend in crisis or emotional distress that they call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at any time at 800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about the Lifeline, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. To speak to a volunteer crisis counselor, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741.
The Whatcom County Health Department lists several crisis hotlines on its website and also recommended additional local resources through:
▪ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: namiwhatcom.org.
▪ MAD HOPE (madhope.org): Teaching youth and trusted adults to recognize warning signs and connect teens with resources and support.
The Washington State Department of Health offers behavioral health support guidance for children, youth, and teens in crisis, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, on its website.
