Influencer Emilie Kiser is finally sharing her pain after the tragic loss of her 3-year-old son, Trigg. The social media star posted an emotional message on Instagram this past Thursday, August 28, opening up about a nightmare no parent should ever face.
“It’s impossible to describe such a huge loss with just words,” Kiser wrote. She explained that she spent months trying to find the right words, all while trying to understand what happened to her baby.
Trigg was everything to them, their “baby and best friend.” Kiser remembered him as a bright, pure, and joyful spirit that lit up their world. She shared how much they miss him every second, and how hard it is to keep going each day. Losing him so suddenly was a pain she never imagined.
A Mother’s Heartbreak and a Plea for Safety
Kiser expressed that her family’s “pain, heartbreak, and emptiness” is something no other family should ever have to go through. She bravely took on the responsibility for what happened. “I know I should have done more to protect him,” she admitted. One hard lesson she learned is that a permanent pool fence might have saved his life. She vowed never to overlook pool safety again. Kiser hopes Trigg’s story can stop other children and families from suffering the same kind of loss.
She also thanked her family for their endless love and her followers for their kind messages. Kiser explained that the only way to get through grief is by taking it “minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.” She has been trying her best to get back on her feet. When she first started using social media in 2021 as a new mom, she wanted to connect with other mothers and find a community. She found that and more, turning a hobby into a job she loves.
Kiser has always tried to be real online, sharing her daily life honestly. But she also chooses what not to share. This tragedy has shown her that online relationships sometimes lack boundaries, especially when it comes to kids’ privacy. She plans to set stronger limits on what she shares online from now on.
She ended her message by saying she hopes to share more about how she’s dealing with her grief later. For now, she thanked everyone for their love, understanding, patience, and the space they’ve given her family to grieve.
The Tragic Details Emerge
Reports from Us Weekly confirmed details about Trigg’s death. The Chandler, Arizona Police Department stated on May 18 that Trigg died that afternoon. He was pulled unconscious from the family’s backyard pool on the evening of May 12. At the time, the exact cause of death was not shared. The police began an investigation, which was later confirmed by Us Weekly to be closed in June.
The Chandler Fire Department had told local Arizona news outlet 12 News that Trigg was in critical condition after being found in the pool. Police officers were the first to arrive and started CPR before firefighters took over. Trigg was then rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for more care.
Brady Kiser, Teddy Kiser, Emilie Kiser, and Trigg Kiser Courtesy of Emilie Kiser/Instagram
Legal Battle and Investigation
After the accident, Kiser took legal steps. Later that month, she filed a lawsuit asking the court to block the release of records about Trigg’s death. The Arizona Republic reported on the lawsuit, which said Emilie was going through “every parent’s worst nightmare.” It stated that Trigg died on May 18 after a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the family home on May 12. The lawsuit also mentioned Emilie was doing her best to be there for her surviving son, Theodore, who was just two months old at the time.
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly in June showed that a judge temporarily agreed to Emilie’s request for privacy. This decision would stand “until a determination balancing the public’s need for information vs. privacy interests” could be made. Sources close to the case told Us Weekly that Emilie was not home when the accident happened. They felt she shouldn’t be forced to relive the aftermath through viral images.
Brady Kiser, Emilie’s husband, told authorities he was home alone with their two children. According to search warrant requests, reported by USA Today in June, Brady said he got “soon distracted” by his younger son. He lost sight of Trigg for three to five minutes. When he saw Trigg in the pool, Brady immediately jumped in and called 911.
In July, the Chandler Police Department recommended criminal charges against Brady. A statement said, “The Chandler Police Department has concluded its investigation into the tragic drowning of three-year-old Trigg Kiser. After a thorough review of the evidence, investigators have recommended a Class 4 felony charge for child abuse against Brady Kiser.” The case was then sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review. However, a later statement from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said there was “no probability of conviction” against Brady.
A Family’s Journey in the Public Eye
Emilie and Brady tied the knot in 2020. They welcomed Trigg into the world on July 14, 2021. “Trigg Chapman Kiser II was born on 7-14-21 at 9:04 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces,” Emilie shared on Instagram, along with photos of her newborn son. “We are amazed by all his tiny features and love him so much🤎.”
The family grew bigger earlier this year with the arrival of their second son, Teddy. “No words to describe the moment of finally meeting Teddy and being able to analyze every part of him and how perfect he is🧸,” Emilie wrote on March 27, sharing an Instagram video of Teddy’s birth. “The long wait was totally worth it. I would do it all again just for the moment Brady lifted our baby and introduced him to me🤎.”
Emilie’s videos about marriage and motherhood have brought her a huge following, with over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and more than 3.4 million on TikTok. She often shared glimpses of her life, including many photos of Trigg. In her most recent Instagram post, titled “I love a good photo dump and a good hair day🍓☁️✨♥️,” she included several pictures of Trigg. This slideshow, posted on May 12, the day after Mother’s Day, featured a touching photo of Trigg kissing his mom’s cheek while she held baby Teddy. It also showed Brady lying in bed with his sons and Trigg seemingly drying off with a towel after swimming in the pool.