A Miss Teen USA pageant queen, Kadance Fredericksen, died Feb. 27 in a car crash in Santa Rosa County in Florida at the age of 18, according to multiple reports.
Fredericksen’s vehicle collided head-on with a tractor trailer at approximately 1:30 p.m. on a highway, according to local news outlet WKRG. Fredericksen was the Miss Okaloosa County teen representative at the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant in 2024. Family members said she had just been accepted into nine colleges and was working toward fulfilling her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Her family described Kadance as “absolutely perfect” and having “the whole world at the palm of her hands.”
The Miss Florida USA Instagram account also confirmed Fredericksen’s death on Instagram, and shared a carousel of images alongside a touching message.
“Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world,” the organization wrote. “She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.”
“In times of grief, we are reminded to love one another and cherish each day as a gift. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who are mourning this devastating loss. May we honor her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community,” it said. The group signed off by writing, “Forever our Queen,” and paying tribute to Fredericksen with a quote from the bible.
“‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ – Psalm 34:18,” the post reads.
Baker School paid tribute to Fredericksen on its Facebook page and offered support for those who are grieving this sudden and tragic loss. (RELATED: Vince Neil’s Private Jet Involved In Fatal Plane Crash In Arizona)
A candlelight vigil is planned for Feb. 19 at the Baker School football stadium at 7:00 p.m., and mourners are encouraged to bring a teddy bear in Fredericksen’s honor. The pageant queen had created an organization called Kada’s Promise, a company dedicated to collecting teddy bears and blankets and distributing them to children enduring abuse and trauma.
