Emilie Kiser’s Toddler Son Trigg Drowned While His Father Watched the Newborn, New Details Reveal

18 June 2025

Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their children Theodore and Trigg. Emilie Kiser/Instagram

New revelations have emerged regarding the heartbreaking drowning of three-year-old Trigg Kiser in his family’s backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona. According to police affidavits obtained through a search warrant, Trigg’s father, Brady Kiser, was watching their two-month-old newborn, Theodore, at the time of the tragedy, while Emilie Kiser was reportedly out with friends.

Brady told investigators that he lost sight of Trigg for what he estimates to be three to five minutes before discovering the child unresponsive in the pool. First responders quickly arrived and administered CPR before airlifting Trigg to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Despite their efforts, he passed away six days later on May 18.

Police confirmed that on the day of the incident, Brady and both of his young sons were home alone, and that the pool’s safety cover, normally in place was not being used. Authorities continue to treat it as an open investigation, requesting patience and respect for the family as they avoid releasing further details until the inquiry concludes.

In the aftermath of this immense loss, Emilie Kiser, a prominent TikTok influencer boasting over three million followers, filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court. Her petition seeks to seal public records related to Trigg’s death, including surveillance footage, medical examiner reports, and her personal statements. She cited the trauma of the event and more than 100 requests for records, saying she wants to shield herself from reliving the pain.

On June 3, the court granted a temporary confidentiality order to seal her declaration while reviewing the larger privacy request. The order safeguards emotional details as the legal process proceeds and underscores the family’s urgent need for privacy during an unfathomable loss.

Public reaction across social media and online forums has been intense and polarized. Many individuals expressed profound grief and empathy for the Kiser family. In a discussion thread on Reddit, one commenter shared how the tragedy awakened deep personal sorrow:

“I was never a follower of Emilie Kiser before the tragic drowning of her son Trigg. But when I heard the story, it cracked something open in me. I am shaken to my core, How does anyone survive a loss like this?”

Another user reflected on the suddenness of the incident and the universal parental fear it stirs. Community members urged grieving parents to advocate for stricter pool safety measures, echoing sentiments on the importance of secured fences, covers, and constant supervision .

Some voices on social media, however, criticized the Kiser parents. They questioned how such an accident could occur in a household with known pool dangers, especially when Arizona law mandates safety barriers in homes with young children. Critics pointed out that home insurance and mortgage terms also require these precautions and decried the absence of a fence or secured cover as “pure neglect”.

Amid these conflicting responses, legal and medical authorities maintain their focus on the formal investigation. Chandler police reaffirmed their condolences to the family and confirmed the investigation would remain sealed until all leads were examined and findings finalized.

For Emilie and Brady Kiser, the personal cost is staggering. They welcomed their first son, Trigg, in July 2021 and celebrated the arrival of Theodore in March 2025. Their social media presence revolved around family joy, tender routines, and parenting milestones. Trigg had often been featured in their posts, and just days before the tragedy, Emilie shared videos expressing gratitude for motherhood.

Now those familiar moments seem frozen in time. Emilie’s lawsuit aims to reclaim some measure of control, to avoid being consumed by public scrutiny while coping with grief and postpartum demands. Her request emphasizes that the emotional trauma from images or video of Trigg’s final moments could cause ongoing harm to both her and their surviving newborn .

The tragedy thrusts the broader issue of influencer privacy into the spotlight. High-profile families already face intense attention, and in this case, public records requests surged beyond a hundred within weeks. Emilie’s legal efforts seek to balance the public’s freedom to information with a grieving family’s need for emotional protection.

The drowning of a child is among the most devastating events a parent can endure. The Kiser family is now navigating the complex triangle of grief, legal proceedings, and public attention all while caring for a newborn. Their story highlights vulnerabilities in home safety practices, particularly when newborn care divides parental focus.

As long as the investigation remains unsettled and court rulings pending, the Kiser family and authorities urge patience and respect from the public. The temporary sealing of documents is the first step in what will be a long, emotionally draining path for Emilie, Brady, and their infant Theodore, as they face a future forever shaped by this tragedy.