On September 16, 2023, a 14-year-old girl lost her life due to a self-inflicted gunshot in Aurora, Kansas, while accompanied by a local deputy sheriff.
Jaylee Chillson had left her home earlier that day and was later found by the deputy at an outdoor party. The deputy was responding to a call from the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office with the aim of taking Chillson back home. However, after the deputy located her at the party and began escorting her to his patrol vehicle, Chillson produced a firearm and shot herself. Immediate actions were taken by the deputy and an off-duty firefighter present to save her life, but she was declared dead on the spot.
The outdoor party, located near 210th R. and Lark Road in Aurora, had college and high school students in attendance, and several witnessed the tragic event. The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office, given their deputy’s involvement, has asked the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for assistance in conducting the subsequent investigation.
Jaylee’s parents posted on Facebook saying that she had been bullied for several years by her classmates, and even demeaned by their parents. Her so-called “friends” sent her mean messages and excluded her from sports teams, refusing to acknowledge her as she walked by.
Jaylee, originally from Manhattan, Kansas, was known for her passion for outdoor pursuits, including fishing, camping, and hunting. She played softball and hoped to become a diesel mechanic in the future. Her family life was closely knit with her parents, four brothers, and grandparents. In light of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been set up to aid her family with funeral expenses.