A tragic incident unfolded in the rural city of Aurora, Kansas, when a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jaylee Chillson, took her own life in front of a deputy sheriff. The officer had been attempting to persuade the young runaway to return to her family when the incident occurred.
The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office had received a call about Chillson’s disappearance earlier that day. She was later found at an outdoor party around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. The deputy, who had tracked her down, was in the process of escorting her to his patrol vehicle when she produced a firearm and shot herself.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the deputy did not draw his weapon during the incident. Despite immediate life-saving attempts by the deputy and an off-duty firefighter present at the scene, Chillson was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Chillson’s father, Jeb Chillson, expressed his grief over the loss of his daughter, describing the situation as “unbearable.” He praised his daughter’s qualities, calling her “amazing,” “perfect,” “beautiful,” and “smart.” He also expressed his anger, hinting at the possibility that his daughter had been a victim of bullying and exclusion.
Jeb Chillson shared his daughter’s struggles, revealing that she had been treated poorly by her peers and even adults at her school. He described how she was ignored by her former best friends and how some parents who once praised her had started to speak ill of her. He emphasized that only their family and her therapist knew the extent of her suffering in the last year of her life.
The incident at the party, which was attended by high school and college students, is under investigation. Several witnesses were interviewed, but no charges have been filed. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been brought in to assist with the investigation to ensure impartiality, given the presence of a deputy during the incident.
Born on March 11, 2009, in Manhattan, Kansas, Chillson grew up in Clay Center with her parents and four brothers. According to her obituary, she was an outdoor enthusiast who loved hunting, fishing, and camping. She was also an avid softball player and aspired to become a diesel mechanic. She was active in the youth group of the Evangelical Covenant Church.