On May 18, 2025, the world of social media influencer Emilie Kiser shattered in an instant. Her three-year-old son, Trigg Kiser, passed away after a tragic drowning accident in the family’s backyard pool. What should have been a joyful time—just months after welcoming her second son, Theodore—turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
This isn’t just another viral tragedy. It’s a devastating reminder of how quickly life can change, how fragile childhood really is, and how even the most watched-over kids can slip through the cracks in a matter of seconds.
Let’s break down everything we know—respectfully, carefully, and with the understanding that behind every headline is a family drowning in grief.
Who Was Trigg Kiser?
TikToker Emilie Kiser’s 3-year-old son, Trigg, has died after a backyard pool accident last week pic.twitter.com/6eVP8hYGgA
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) May 19, 2025
Trigg wasn’t just a name in a news report. He was a little boy with a big personality, a child who brought joy to millions through his mother’s TikTok and Instagram posts.
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Full Name: Trigg Chapman Kiser
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Age: 3 (would have turned 4 on July 14, 2025)
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Family: Son of Emilie Kiser (a social media star with 3.5M followers) and Brady Kiser. Little brother to Theodore, born in March 2025.
If you’ve ever scrolled through Emilie’s content, you’ve seen Trigg’s cheeky grin, his love for dinosaurs, and the way he adored his baby brother. Their family videos were filled with laughter, vacations, and everyday moments that felt relatable to millions.
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Now, those same videos are flooded with heartbroken comments from followers who feel like they’ve lost a child they never even met.
The Day Everything Changed: May 12, 2025
Influencer Emilie Kiser’s son, Trigg, dies after devastating drowning incident. pic.twitter.com/NJPTtDMX2s
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) May 19, 2025
It was a Sunday evening in Chandler, Arizona—just a normal day until it wasn’t.
The Accident
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Time: Around 6–7 p.m.
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What Happened: Trigg Kiser was found unresponsive in the family’s backyard pool.
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Emergency Response: Someone (likely a family member or caregiver) called 911. Police arrived first, performing CPR until firefighters took over.
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Hospital Rush: Trigg was rushed to Chandler Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
For six agonizing days, the Kiser family held onto hope. Machines kept Trigg alive, but the damage was too severe. On May 18, he was pronounced dead.
The Medical Examiner’s Role
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death, but the official cause hasn’t been released yet. There’s been online speculation—some claiming the death certificate was leaked early, others questioning pool safety—but nothing has been verified.
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What we do know:
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Drowning is the leading cause of death for kids ages 1–4 in the U.S.
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It happens fast—sometimes in less than 30 seconds, silently.
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Even the most attentive parents can’t always prevent it.
The Aftermath: A Family in Mourning
TikToker Emilie Kiser’s 3-year-old son Trigg Kiser died May 18 after he was found unconscious in the pool at the family’s Arizona home, police confirmed. https://t.co/mXT9pvdlEK pic.twitter.com/dWJAn164mH
— E! News (@enews) May 19, 2025
Emilie’s Silence
Before May 12, Emilie’s social media was a highlight reel of motherhood—Trigg’s birthday parties, Theo’s newborn snuggles, family trips. Her last post was a Mother’s Day tribute to her boys on May 11.
Since the accident? Complete silence.
Followers have flooded her comments with prayers, but others have crossed the line—speculating, blaming, demanding updates. The truth? This family needs space. Grief isn’t performative. It’s raw, messy, and unbearable.
The Chandler Police’s Statement
Officials have been tight-lipped, calling the incident “unimaginable” and stressing that the investigation is ongoing. No foul play is suspected, but standard protocol means detectives will review every detail.
One thing they’ve emphasized: This could happen to anyone.
The Bigger Conversation: Pool Safety & Parental Guilt
Whenever a child drowns, the internet splits into two camps:
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“This is why I’m terrified of pools!”
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“How could the parents let this happen?”
Here’s the reality:
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Most child drownings happen during non-swim times—when parents think kids are safely inside.
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A fence isn’t always enough. Kids are escape artists.
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It’s not always negligence. Sometimes, it’s just a horrible, fleeting accident.
Could this have been prevented? Maybe. But hindsight is brutal, and guilt is a weight no parent should carry alone.
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What Happens Now?
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Funeral Arrangements: The family hasn’t shared details yet.
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Investigation Updates: The medical examiner’s final report could take weeks.
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Emilie’s Future Online: Will she return to social media? If so, how? Grief changes everything.
One thing’s certain: Trigg Kiser’s memory will live on. Not as a cautionary tale, but as a little boy who loved fiercely and was loved even harder.
Final Thoughts: Hold Them Close
If there’s one takeaway from this tragedy, it’s this: Life is fragile. Hug your kids a little tighter tonight. Put alarms on your pool doors. And remember—behind every viral story, there’s a family living a nightmare no one should ever face.
Rest easy, Trigg. You were so, so loved.
