An investigation into the death of influencer Emilie Kiser’s son Trigg closed nearly a month after his pool accident.
The Chandler, Arizona, Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly on Sunday, May 18, that Trigg died at age 3. Days earlier, Trigg was pulled unconscious from the family’s backyard pool.
“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remain ongoing. This is still an open investigation,” the department said in a statement to Us. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed.”
Us confirmed on June 2 that the investigation was officially closed.
Emilie, who has amassed more than 1 million followers on Instagram and 3 million on TikTok, welcomed son Trigg in July 2021 with husband Brady Kiser.
“We are smitten with all his tiny features and love him so much🤎,” she captioned Instagram images of the newborn. The couple, who tied the knot in 2020, added son Teddy to their family in March.
Emilie’s followers have flooded her Instagram posts with condolences. “When one mama cries, we all cry. Emilie and Brady you are so loved 🪽,” one fan wrote via Instagram, while another added, “Love you Emilie and Brady! We’re all holding you 😢.”
Scroll down for everything to know about the investigation:
When Did the Incident Occur?
Trigg was found unconscious from the family’s backyard pool on the evening of May 12. Two days later, the Chandler Fire Department told local Arizona news outlet 12 News that a 3-year-old boy — later identified as Trigg — was in critical condition. Police officers reportedly arrived at the scene and began performing CPR before firefighters took over life-saving measures. He was subsequently flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
While Trigg was not initially identified, speculation began swirling online that the 3-year-old could be Kiser’s son after her followers noticed she had not posted on social media in days.
“Emily [sic] i hope you are okay. i feel sick!! 😭,” one user wrote in the comments section of her latest TikTok post, while another added, “Please be a bad rumor 😭 I’m sick.”
Influencer Emilie Kiser’s 3-year-old son, Trigg, has died. Us Weekly confirmed via the Chandler, Arizona, Police Department on Sunday, May 18, that the child passed away “earlier this afternoon.” He was pulled out of a backyard pool on the evening of Monday, May 12. The statement to Us continued, “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding […]
Were Emilie or Brady Home During the Incident?
After a judge ruled to give Emilie temporary confidentiality on her request for privacy, sources close to the litigation shared with Us that the influencer was not home at the time of the accident and “should not be forced to relive the aftermath through viral footage.”
Brady, meanwhile, told authorities he was home alone watching Trigg and Teddy while Emilie was out with friends, per search warrant applications obtained by USA Today. Brady shared that Trigg went to the backyard to play after he was finished eating. He became “soon distracted” by youngest son Teddy and lost sight of Trigg for three to five minutes before finding him floating in the pool. Brady reportedly saw Trigg in the pool, jumped in to get his son and called 911. Us reached out to Brady’s team for comment.
Has Trigg’s Cause of Death Been Released?
A cause of death was not shared by the Chandler, Arizona, Police Department in the statement to Us.
What Has Emilie Kiser Said About the Investigation?
The influencer has yet to address her son’s death or the investigation. Emilie filed a lawsuit on May 27 asking the court to block the release of records about Trigg’s death.
“Emilie is going through a parent’s worst nightmare right now. She lost her young son, her three-year-old Trigg Chapman Kiser (‘Trigg’), on May 18, 2025, following a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the family’s home on May 12, 2025,” the lawsuit published by Arizona Republic read. “Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle.”
Is the Investigation Still Open?
Us confirmed on June 2 that the investigation was closed.
What Did the Investigation Find?
After reviewing evidence found during the investigation, Chandler Police Department announced on July 15 that investigators recommended “a Class 4 felony charge of child abuse against Brady Kiser.”
The development was announced following search warrants being issued in May — with details of the warrants obtained by USA Today in June — after investigators saw video surveillance footage of the pool via two outdoor cameras positioned in the backyard.
For more vital, lifesaving information on pool safety, see Bode Miller’s tips and visit Coverstar’s website during Water Safety Awareness Month.
