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KAWKAWLIN TWP, MI — Officials are continuing to investigate the sudden death of Bay City preteen girl.
At 9:22 p.m. on July 6, Bay County Central Dispatch received a call from someone in the 2400 block of Beech Drive within White Birch Estates mobile home park in Kawkawlin Township.
The caller requested medical help “for a 12-year-old female that ran face first into a tree,” a dispatcher said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene to paramedics already administering CPR to the girl, identified as Olivia May Marie Smith, said Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham. Olivia was taken to an area hospital, where staff pronounced her deceased.
Olivia was a Bay City resident but was at the Beech Drive residence for a sleepover with friends, Cunningham said.
An autopsy was performed on Olivia’s remains, the results of which showed no signs of foul play. The pathologist also found that the tree strike described by the initial caller was not a contributing factor in Olivia’s death, Cunningham said.
Investigators believe Olivia suffered a medical event involving her heart. One of her friends told deputies she saw Olivia stumble then fall while they were outside, Cunningham said.
Numerous witnesses at the scene gave deputies conflicting accounts of what transpired, he added.
Toxicology and histology analyses are pending before the pathologist can finalize the autopsy report with a definitive cause and manner of death, Cunningham said. Those results could take months.
On platforms like Facebook, rumors have been running rampant regarding the circumstances of Olivia’s death. Many have referenced bullying and called for Olivia to receive justice.
“We’ve heard so many different things on social media,” the sheriff said. “We’re still trying to gather all the evidence.”
Investigators have heard there is a Ring video of Olivia being chased by other juveniles, Cunningham said. Deputies are still searching for this footage, he said.
Once the autopsy results are finished and deputies have completed their probe, investigators will send their reports to the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Olivia’s funeral was held July 18. Olivia, who had completed sixth grade at Bay City Western Middle School, was survived by her parents and three brothers. Her family could not be reached for comment.
Olivia’s mother launched a GoFundMe campaign to offset funeral expenses. In the description, she wrote her daughter was born with a heart defect.
“A bright and spirited soul, Olivia was known for her kind heart and infectious smile,” her obituary reads. “She was funny, beautiful, and compassionate, traits that endeared her to friends and family alike. A creative spirit, she delighted in crafting, baking, drawing, and dancing, always bringing her unique flair to everything she touched.”
Olivia played tuba in the school band and enjoyed watching Animal Planet documentaries.
“In reflecting on Olivia’s life, we remember a girl whose light shone brightly in this world,” her obituary reads. “Her spirit will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her, and she will be profoundly missed. May her legacy of love, creativity, and joy remain in our hearts forever.”
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