Olivia Smith's final moments remain shrouded in mystery as Bay County authorities work to determine what killed the 12-year-old Michigan girl, whose death was initially reported as her running face first into a tree but is now being scrutinized amid swirling social media speculation about whether she was being chased.
Background
Olivia was found near a friend's house in Kawkawlin Township on the evening of July 6 around 9:20 p.m., according to Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham. A 911 call reported that the young girl had run face first into a tree. When paramedics arrived, they performed CPR and transported her to a local hospital, where she later died.
The girl's family has publicly stated online—including through a GoFundMe campaign—that Olivia was born with a heart defect, though authorities have not confirmed whether that played a role in her death. Ring camera footage obtained by investigators shows Olivia stepping off a staircase and walking toward some trees before she was found.
Her mother, Rebecca Smith, has taken to Facebook challenging the official account of her daughter's death. "My daughter Olivia didn't hit a tree," Smith wrote on July 19. "I know she DID NOT hit that tree with her face!!"
The Investigation
Sheriff Cunningham told Law&Crime that detectives are still actively investigating and have urged anyone with information to come forward. The case has drawn significant attention online, where rumors have circulated about whether Olivia was being chased by other children with whom she had prior issues.
According to the sheriff, investigators have interviewed numerous children who were in the trailer park the night Olivia died and reviewed Ring camera footage showing both Olivia and other youths in the area where she was found. "There are rumors we've heard a little bit, and some of the people we've talked to have said that Olivia and another girl did have issues with each other," Cunningham said.
A Bay County Sheriff's Office official who attended the autopsy told Law&Crime there were no signs of blunt force injuries visible on the outside of her body. "There was no indication that she hit a tree if you looked at her," the official said. "Outwardly, you couldn't tell if she hit the tree or didn't hit a tree."
The doctors and pathologists who examined Olivia have told police that it does not appear striking the tree caused her death in the manner initially reported through the 911 call. "From the autopsy, there's a question right now of whether there was a heart issue and if she didn't stumble… and coincidentally hit a tree," Cunningham explained.
Investigators confirmed a video has emerged during the investigation showing several children running in the trailer park on the night Olivia died, with some allegedly heard discussing "chasing her." However, Cunningham emphasized that interviewed witnesses have not provided evidence that anyone was actually pursuing her. "We've heard that on social media and stuff, but the people that we've interviewed who were out there on scene do not have any evidence of anyone actually chasing her," he said.
Key Takeaways
- Olivia Smith, 12, died after being found in Kawkawlin Township, Bay County, Michigan, near a friend's house in a trailer park
- Initial 911 call reported she ran face first into a tree; autopsy findings suggest the impact was not sufficient to cause her death
- Family disputes official account, with mother stating Olivia "didn't hit that tree with her face"
- Sheriff says investigators have found no evidence of anyone chasing Olivia despite social media rumors
- Toxicology results and full autopsy report are pending and expected in coming days or weeks
What's Next
Authorities say they are still gathering information and reviewing surveillance footage. The Bay County Medical Examiner's Office is expected to release official autopsy results and toxicology findings within the next several days to weeks, which could provide clarity on what caused Olivia's death. Sheriff Cunningham said investigators will continue piecing together evidence while distinguishing between verified facts and rumors circulating online.
"What can be proven, we hold on to, and what's just rumor, we let go," Cunningham said.