Who was Hailey Perkins? Family pays tribute to teen who died under mysterious circumstances
PUEBLO COUNTY, COLORADO: The devastated family members of a 13-year-old girl have remembered her after she died suspiciously in late June. Hailey Perkins was discovered dead at her Pueblo West home on June 27. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement then, saying, “The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death after a female was found deceased in a Pueblo West home this morning.”
It added, “Sheriff’s deputies responded at about 10:45 am to the 600 block of E Clarion Drive on a report of an unresponsive female. When they arrived, they found the victim deceased. There is no danger to the public. The death is being considered suspicious due to the age of the victim. The identity and age of the individual and the manner and cause of death will be released by the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office at the appropriate time. No further information will be released at this time.”
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Two days after the tragedy, her death was ruled a homicide by the coroner’s office as a probe continued to find her killer(s). On Saturday, July 30, Hailey’s loved ones came together to tube down the Arkansas River at the Pueblo Dam before launching red balloons in the air to honor her. Haley’s elder cousin, Candice Otero, told KKTV, “This was one of Haley’s favorite things to do. She almost a year ago floated down the river and saved her mother from drowning. This is just our way of showing that we’re not giving up on her ... we want justice, we want her name to live on.”
The victim’s mother Tanya Perkins noted, “This is in memory of Hailey obviously, but truly for every parent that has lost their child. They are never forgotten. Somebody somewhere remembers their name and we just want to bring light to the community. How many is it gonna take before we unite and stop what’s going on? Innocent kids don’t have to die.”
Suggesting that her daughter was a big-hearted and strong girl, Tanya added, “She was friends with the kid in school who didn’t have friends, because she wanted them to have one friend. She was always there for anybody if they needed her, she was the first person to go in for you. She stood up for herself, she didn’t let anybody disrespect her at all, she stood up for what she believed in and more people should be like that.”
A few weeks ago, the Twitter page of Pueblo County Coroner tweeted, “In the case of Hailey Perkins, 13, who was discovered deceased in her Pueblo West Home on 6/27/2022, we will release more information as appropriate. The homicide investigation is still very active. We are working with the PCSO and will not jeopardize the investigation.”
In the case of Hailey Perkins, 13, who was discovered deceased in her Pueblo West Home on 6/27/2022, we will release more information as appropriate. The homicide investigation is still very active. We are working with the PCSO and will not jeopardize the investigation. pic.twitter.com/687thpW4Xq
— Pueblo County Coroner (@CoronerPueblo) July 10, 2022
Meanwhile, an eulogy for Hailey was also published in loving memory of her. It read, “Hailey Perkins, 13, passed away June 27, 2022. A lifetime Puebloan she was born June 28, 2008 to proud parents Tanya Perkins and Mark Perkins. She is preceded in death by grandmother Lisa Hampton, and great-grandmother, Marguerite Tyrrell; cousin, Matthew Otero.”
It went on to say that the girl was in seventh class "at Mann Middle School. She enjoyed the outdoors, swimming, and playing basketball with her older brother Brayden. Her best friend was her twin brother, Holden, he was truly her go-to guy. She was very playful and had a great relationship with little kids. Although she was little, she had a big heart. She was helpful, and would truly give her shirt off her back to anyone in need. Her Mom loved her big smile and deep dimples.”
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“Hailey leaves to cherish her memory; her mother, Tanya Perkins; her father, Mark Perkins; brothers, Brayden and Holden Perkins; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will miss Hailey dearly,” the obituary concluded.