KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An 18-year-old girl found dead in a motel room in March died of suffocation, Kansas City, Mo., police spokesperson Kari Thompson says.
Daizsa Bausby’s death is now being investigated as suspicious. The Southwest High School student was found dead on March 21 inside a room at the 4 Acre Motel, 8220 Hickman Mills Drive. Bausby’s mother had filed a missing person report the day before.
As high school seniors celebrate graduation this month, but for Daizsa’s family, the ceremonies bring the pain of knowing that she is not one of them.
After learning the news that Daizsa died from suffocation, Bausby’s family visited the teen’s grave Thursday at Twelve Gates Memorial Gardens with graduation gifts that they say they should have been able to present her in person.
None of them know why Daizsa ended up dead in a motel room, but they say it should not have happened. The honors student was on her way toward reaching her goals, voted most likely to succeed by her classmates, and headed to Grambling State University in the fall.
“It was hard watching her peers walk in and not her,” Gaye Martin, Daizsa’s aunt, said about the school’s graduation ceremony. “Being there, it was very emotional for me. They had one seat, the very first seat that had her cap and gown and her card and a picture, two pictures of her. That was really emotional to see that.”
As part of Kansas City’s Early College Academy, Daizsa would have graduated with dual credits to also earn an associate’s degree. She was captain of the cheerleading squad, the Southwest High School salutatorian, and worked at the Foot Locker store on the Plaza. Her family says she didn’t have time for trouble.
Daizsa did have help and support, living with one of her teachers for a time. Now her family wants to know why she was taken from them and by whom.
Police did not have any details on a possible suspect.
“We won’t be able to see her fulfill her dreams,” said Martin.