Mississippi Girl, 6, Dies After Accidentally Locking Herself in Barrel on Family’s Property

A tragic reminder of life's fragility, as six-year-old Gracelynn Vick, pictured here, was found deceased after an accidental entrapment in a storage barrel on her family’s property in Mississippi.

Harrison County, Mississippi — A tight-knit Mississippi community is grieving after the heartbreaking discovery of 6-year-old Gracelynn Vick, who was found dead just steps from her home following an extensive search. Officials say the tragic incident appears to be a devastating accident.

Gracelynn was last seen playing outside her home around noon on Saturday, April 13. After hours of frantic searching by family, friends, law enforcement, and even helicopters, her body was located on the family’s property shortly after 6 p.m. inside a plastic storage barrel.

At a press conference held Thursday, Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley confirmed that surveillance footage from the home’s security system revealed the child entering the barrel and closing the lid herself. From the inside, she was unable to reopen it.

“There were no signs of foul play,” Sheriff Haley said. “The barrel was within view of a security camera the entire time, and no one approached or tampered with it after Gracelynn entered.”

The autopsy results showed no signs of trauma or abuse. Investigators believe Gracelynn likely died from a combination of heat stress and restricted oxygen, similar to the effects a child would face if left in a hot car.

While the official cause of death is still under review, Sheriff Haley emphasized that all evidence points to a tragic accident.

“This is a devastating event, and we ask for compassion and understanding as this family mourns,” he said.

Gracelynn's death has brought renewed sorrow to a family already burdened by loss. In March 2024, her 13-year-old sister, Victoria, died in a car crash. In 2021, her brother Larry passed away at age 17 due to a chronic medical condition.

The family’s pain is now layered with yet another unimaginable loss, leaving their community stunned and in mourning.