A six-year-old Mississippi girl named Gracelynn Vick was reported missing after she went outside to play in her front yard. Six hours later, on April 13, her body was found near her home. One year before, in March 2024, her sister, Victoria, tragically died in a car crash. Gracelynn's death also comes four years after her brother, Larry, died of a medical condition.
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According to the
Harrison County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), deputies responded to a report of a missing six-year-old girl, Gracelynn. At approximately noon, Gracelynn went outside to play in her front yard. Shortly after, her family called, reporting her missing. Described as a 4-feet-tall girl with blond hair and brown eyes, she wore a white shirt and pink shorts when she disappeared.The HCSO used ATVs, a helicopter, and carried out an on-foot search effort to locate Gracelynn. Acadian Medical, Harrison County Fire, and Gulf Coast Rescue also assisted with the search. Six hours later, at around 6 p.m., unfortunately, they were able to locate Gracelynn Vick at her home' vicinity, pronouncing her dead.
According to Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley, the incident is currently under investigation.
"So far, no one has been arrested in the case, and it's too early to determine if foul play is involved," Haley said, as per the Sun Herald. "This is an ongoing investigation. We just ask that you pray for the family and all who are involved."
An autopsy was scheduled at the time for Monday, April 14.
Family Tragedies
According to the Sun Herald, Gracelynn's death comes over a year following the death of her stepsister, Victoria Hutcherson.
In March 2024, Victoria was travelling inside a minivan when the vehicle was struck by a dump truck. Reportedly, the minivan driver attempted to cross four lanes of U.S. 49, which caused it to collide with the truck. Both Victoria, who was 13 at the time, and the driver, John Potts, 68, were killed in the crash.
Gracelynn's and Victoria's mother, Vickie L. Wedgeworth Hutcherson, however, has further experienced grief over a child's death in the past. According to an obituary, Wedgeworth suffered the loss of her son on July 2, 2021. Larry Hart died of a medical condition at the age of 17.
Gracelynn Vick, a six-year-old Mississippi girl, was found dead near her home after disappearing from her front yard.
