A tragic incident unfolded in Harrison County, Mississippi, when 6-year-old Gracelynn Vick was found dead near her home just hours after being reported missing. On Sunday, April 13, Gracelynn was last seen playing outside on her family’s farm around noon. After an extensive six-hour search involving local authorities and community members, her body was discovered inside a 58-gallon livestock feed barrel approximately 50 feet from the family’s back door .WDSU+12https://www.kbtx.com+12https://www.wsaz.com+12People.com+1People.com+1https://www.wsaz.com+2WDSU+2https://www.kbtx.com+2
According to Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley, security footage revealed that Gracelynn had climbed into the empty barrel on her own and became trapped when the lid closed, preventing her escape. The area was under constant surveillance, and no one else was seen approaching the barrel until the search commenced, ruling out foul play .WDSU+4People.com+4https://www.kbtx.com+4
Preliminary autopsy results indicated that Gracelynn died from a combination of heat stress and limited oxygen supply, conditions comparable to being trapped in a hot car. There were no signs of trauma, abuse, or neglect .https://www.wabi.tv+10People.com+10People.com+10
This heartbreaking event follows previous tragedies in the Vick family. Gracelynn’s 13-year-old sister, Victoria, died in a car crash in 2024, and her 17-year-old brother, Larry Hart, passed away in 2021 due to a medical condition .https://www.weau.com+12People.com+12People.com+12People.com+1People.com+1
Sheriff Haley, whose granddaughter was a school friend of Gracelynn’s, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “It’s been rough on my family and the people who work here.” The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life taken too soon.https://www.wsaz.com+5People.com+5https://www.kbtx.com+5
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