Found Deceased MS - Gracelyn Vick, 6, Harrison County, 13 April 2025

[Trebor5591]

This family has had more than its share of tragedy, having experienced 4 recent deaths, including Gracelynn. Gracelynn is the third (or fourth?) child in her family to have died: Her sister Victoria March 2024 in a vehicle crash, an unnamed loved one (maybe not a child) five months later to cancer, and Gracelynn's brother Larry in July 2021 years ago due to a medical event. Details are in the below news story.

https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/article304202751.html

 

[Gemmie]

Not very big.

A standard 55-gallon drum typically measures 33 to 36-3/4 inches in height and 22-3/8 to 24-1/2 inches in diameter

Understanding 55-Gallon Drum Dimensions: A Comprehensive Guide

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www.powerblanket.com

How Many 55 Gallon Drums Can Fit on a Pallet? A Comprehensive Guide

Functions and Purpose of a Pallet A pallet is a flat transport structure consisting of a raised platform that allows for the easy movement of goods using a forklift, pallet jack, or other handling equipment. In general a pallet is a flat, sturdy platform used for transporting goods...

barrelwarmer.com

 

[charminglane]

Damn.

 

[swanniee11]

A very sad freak accident. Prayers for Gracelyn, her mom, family and friends. My thoughts are with Those who found her as well. That has to be tough. Thank you for doing what you do.

 

[Kittypoo]

It was their own security camera... showed the area of the barrel. It was blocked so the view didn't show her actually very in the barrel but LE is certain she did. No one else was in the area.

I am broken for her family.

In their panic to find her, it must have completely skipped their mind to think to look at their cameras.

Full sympathy.

I wonder if she was playing hide and seek. Absolutely heartbreaking

 

[dulcinea]

I am absolutely sick thinking about what position this poor family would be in if not for their cameras. They are already dealing with so much hurt, and then imagine being accused of something so awful. My heart aches for them so deeply.

 

[TristanP]

Nobody thought to look at the security cameras immediately?!

 

[Gemmie]

Nobody thought to look at the security cameras immediately?!

Apparently not immediately. LE said "We obtained the video footage that night, but we weren't able to review it right then".

3:36 - ‘Tragic accident’: Officials reveal new details in death of 6-year-old Gracelynn Vick

 

[Knox]

 

[24Roses]

Gracelynn Lee Vick Obituary April 13, 2025 - Riemann Family Funeral Homes

View Gracelynn Lee Vick's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.riemannfamily.com

 

[Knox]

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Sad news, I have so many questions about the horrific way Gracelynn died. I just couldn’t imagine a child not being able to get out of a 55 gal barrel, let alone putting a lid on that couldn’t be pushed off.

But I was thinking more along the lines of design you see in a steel drum. It has a hasp type locking mechanism which couldn’t be locked or stuck from the inside.

One of the reporters asked if it was a pickling barrel. I’ve never seen one. But it’s got a two piece lid like the Chief described. I guess if she turned it from the inside it could cross thread? The drum was being used to store feed.

My other thought was the barrel must have been located where it was braced in place. Other wise it would have fallen over with her struggling to get out? It didn’t sound like she was upside down, surely he would have offered that information and mentioned positional asphyxia if so.

My thoughts are with her Mother and loved ones. How much is one person/family supposed to bear in a lifetime?

 

[Knox]

USED Plastic Pickle Barrels w/ Lids | repurposedMATERIALS

SAVE 50-75% USED 55 gallon Plastic Pickle Barrels w/ Lids | Food Grade | Located in IA | Storage, shipping, farm, deer feeder, rain barrels |

www.repurposedmaterialsinc.com

Sad news, I have so many questions about the horrific way Gracelynn died. I just couldn’t imagine a child not being able to get out of a 55 gal barrel, let alone putting a lid on that couldn’t be pushed off.

But I was thinking more along the lines of design you see in a steel drum. It has a hasp type locking mechanism which likely couldn’t be locked/stuck from the inside.

One of the reporters asked if it was a pickling barrel. I’ve never seen one. But it’s got a two piece lid like the Chief described. I guess if she turned it from the inside it could cross thread?

My other thought was the barrel must have been located where it was braced in place. Other wise it would have fallen over with her struggling to get out? It didn’t sound like she was upside down, surely he would have offered that information and mentioned positional asphyxia if so.

My thoughts are with her Mother and loved ones. How much is one person/familysupposed to bear in a lifetime?

 

[Jsizzle]

Wow. What a horrible tragedy. I am sick for her family. So much loss. How does one go on after losing all of your children?! RIP little one

 

[Linear13]

Terrible …about 25 or more years ago a small child went missing in the suburb where my aunt lived. The mother and child had gone to the grocery store and had come home and the mother was unloading the groceries from the rear of her SUV. She got the groceries in the house and realized the child was missing. There was a large pond in the subdivision which is where LE seemed to focus. No one thought to check the car. The child had lifted the mat in the back where the groceries were stored and had gotten into the well where the spare tire was stored. The mother must have looked in the car and not immediately seeing or hearing the child thought she had gone somewhere else. No one thought about the spare tire well until they noticed the smell. She had died of heat exhaustion. I am sure the poor family blamed themselves when it was absolutely not their fault nor anyone else’s…it was just an accident. Children are drawn to small places, hidey holes and water. It may be some distant instinct…who knows but I know from my own experience I was drawn to these same things as a child. If your child disappears before immediately thinking ‘abduction’ while LE is on the way after you have called 911 start checking small spaces and water.

 

[mlhenn]

6-year-old girl found dead after going missing in MS had 'no signs of foul play,' sheriff says

“After reviewing the the video multiple times, it was determined that while playing outside, Gracelynn went inside the barrel herself and closed the lid from inside.” the sheriff said.

www.nola.com

In addition, the sheriff said said deputies recreated the series of events multiple times before coming to the conclusion that “the only way that that lid (on the barrel) could have been in the position that it was in would be if ”it is was done by someone already inside the barrel.”

The barrel has a top that either either screws or snaps shut. Her family usually kept animal feed in it, but the barrel was empty that day and was sitting outside.

 

[Gemmie]

6-year-old girl found dead after going missing in MS had 'no signs of foul play,' sheriff says

“After reviewing the the video multiple times, it was determined that while playing outside, Gracelynn went inside the barrel herself and closed the lid from inside.” the sheriff said.

www.nola.com

In addition, the sheriff said said deputies recreated the series of events multiple times before coming to the conclusion that “the only way that that lid (on the barrel) could have been in the position that it was in would be if ”it is was done by someone already inside the barrel.”

The barrel has a top that either either screws or snaps shut. Her family usually kept animal feed in it, but the barrel was empty that day and was sitting outside.

I'm still not understanding how the only way a 2 piece lid could have been locked in place (my words) from the inside. I wish we could find out the exact style of the 2 piece lid. LE said it was complicated in the presser.

 

[Megnut]

Sadly, the same engineering genius that can keep even ants out keeps oxygen out and carbon monoxide in. Tight gasket seal. Probably the threading that makes such a lockseal work renders it impossible to reverse the process from beneath, no match for a six year old, powered by panic and power-impaired by dark and diminished oxygen, but impossible for anyone, due to a design flaw, not unlike trunks of old which couldn't be opened from within, only because no one foresaw the critical need.

Not a submarine hatch which is designed to be locked and opened from either side, but in general, the barrel lid probably had a hatch similar in theory. By half. Perfect for food storage, fatal for egress.

Having recently lost my only child, my beloved daughter (at 28), my heart is broken for this mother. Such impossible loss. I share her pain.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Something like this. Who could have imagined it could prove deadly?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/gamma-vittles-vault

 

[vls12345]

@Megnut, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter.

 

[Knox]

Sadly, the same engineering genius that can keep even ants out keeps oxygen out and carbon monoxide in. Tight gasket seal. Probably the threading that makes such a lockseal work renders it impossible to reverse the process from beneath, no match for a six year old, powered by panic and power-impaired by dark and diminished oxygen, but impossible for anyone, due to a design flaw, not unlike trunks of old which couldn't be opened from within, only because no one foresaw the critical need.

Not a submarine hatch which is designed to be locked and opened from either side, but in general, the barrel lid probably had a hatch similar in theory. By half. Perfect for food storage, fatal for egress.

Having recently lost my only child, my beloved daughter (at 28), my heart is broken for this mother. Such impossible loss. I share her pain.

JMO

I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter, warm hugs. I hope you have support.