10-year-old cheerleader dies after she collapses at practice, Michigan reports say

Monea Pace was at practice with her cheer squad when she collapsed, according to Michigan news reports.

Someone began CPR on the 10-year-old girl while another called 911, WXYZ reported, then she was rushed to the hospital shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, July 14.

Monea never regained consciousness, WDIV reported. She was pronounced dead later that night.

“Monea Pace was doing what she loved to do, CHEERING,” Southfield-Lathrup Falcons Football & Cheer said in a GoFundMe for the Pace family. “At 9 pm, Friday, July 14th, she was called home.”

The organization described the girl as a “sweet, silly, respectful, and God-loving little angel.”

“Monea did not deserve to die,” Nicholas Paige, a 9-year-old cousin, told WXYZ. “She was too young to die.”

Trinity Paige, another cousin, told WJBK that she cheers for another team but was with Monea shortly before she collapsed.

“We were finally about to branch off and I was like ‘have fun at practice. I love you’ and those were the last words I said to her,” Trinity told the Detroit TV station. “I’m trying to stay strong for everybody else, but it’s like I can’t do it. Every time I think or hear somebody talking about her, I just want to break down.”

An autopsy is being conducted to determine a cause of death, WJBK reported.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, according to an online obituary.

The Southfield-Lathrup Falcons have dedicated their season to Monea, WDIV reported. The organization’s fundraiser football game, scheduled for Sunday, July 16, was canceled.

Southfield is part of the Detroit metropolitan area.

This story was originally published July 19, 2023 at 2:09 PM with the headline "10-year-old cheerleader dies after she collapses at practice, Michigan reports say."