A high school freshman battling an eating disorder has died from a heart attack just a day after celebrating her 15th birthday . Lacey Smarr of Longview , Texas , died on February 2 after starving her body of the important nutrients needed for her heart to function . Lacey 's eating disorder had begun just months earlier during the eighth-grade when friends had teased her about her curvy physique . Lacey Smarr of Longview , Texas , died on February 2 after starving her body of the nutrients needed for her heart to function . 'They would tell her that her butt looked big in the volleyball shorts , ' mom Candy Miller told News Journal . 'That 's all it took for Lacey . She 's just that kind of person that takes it seriously . ' Candy says the girls loved Lacey and did n't mean any harm but from that moment on her daughter became fixated about her weight . To begin with Lacey made a concerted effort to eat healthy and exercise but soon her family started to notice unusual behaviour . When Lacey would go to the restroom she would lock herself in and turn on the water in the sink . ' I asked her about it , and she said she was locking the door because of her little brother and that she could n't use the restroom without the water running , ' Candy said . ' I bought it . I did n't question it . ' Mom Candy Miller had asked doctors if her daughter had an eating disorder , but instead they diagnosed an ulcer and prescribed an antacid . As her daughter started to lose weight , her mother became worried . At one point , the teenager was taken to hospital after fainting and hitting her head . While there , nurses observed Lacey eat then throw up her food . Candy asked doctors if her daughter had an eating disorder , but instead they diagnosed an ulcer and prescribed an antacid . The doctors refered Lacey to psychiatrists and counselors , but they also told Candy Miller that they did n't believe her daughter had an eating disorder . ' I blamed myself in the beginning ( after Lacey 's death ) , but she fooled doctors , ' Candy Miller said . From weighing 126 pounds at her last athletic physical in eighth grade , Lacey had dropped down to 88 pounds at the time of her death . From weighing 126 pounds at her last athletic physical in eighth grade , Lacey had dropped down to 88 pounds at the time of her death . On the day of her death , Lacey had returned home early from school after complaining of not feeling well . She was found unresponsive by her stepfather , who tried CPR and called for an ambulance . On her birthday Lacey had eaten several meals , but her mom now believes that Lacey had thrown the food up afterwards . 'She 's a very smart girl , ' said Candy . 'She knew how to hide it . ' In honor of her daughter , Candy Miller is in the process of launching the Lacey Foundation . ' I feel like if we can save just one family from the grief we 're going through and the pain , then my daughter did n't die in vain , ' Miller said . The foundation will help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of anorexia , bulimia and other eating disorders as well as offer resources to families in need .
Lacey Smarr of Texas , Longview , died on February 2 after starving her body of the nutrients needed for her heart to function . The high school freshman 's eating disorder had started after she was teased about her curvy physique during volleyball . From weighing 126 pounds at her last athletic physical in eighth grade , Lacey had dropped down to 88 pounds at the time of her death . Her mom had asked doctors if her daughter had an eating disorder , but instead they had diagnosed an ulcer and prescribed an antacid .