CHANDLER, ARIZONA — In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has sent shockwaves across the internet and left a family shattered, 3-year-old Trigg Kiser, the beloved son of popular beauty and lifestyle influencer Emilie Kiser, has died following a drowning accident in a backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 12, and the young boy passed away six days later, on Saturday, May 18, after remaining in critical condition at a local hospital.
The devastating news was confirmed by local authorities and later shared publicly by Emilie and her husband through social media and a family spokesperson. The toddler’s death has ignited an overwhelming outpouring of grief, love, and support across social platforms, where millions followed his short but joy-filled life.
According to Chandler Police, emergency services were called to a residence near the intersection of Gilbert and Riggs roads at approximately 4:45 p.m. on May 12. Trigg was found unresponsive in the backyard swimming pool. Immediate life-saving measures were performed by first responders before he was transported to a nearby children’s hospital.
Over the following days, the Kiser family maintained a vigil at Trigg’s bedside, sharing limited but hopeful updates with their extensive online community. However, after nearly a week of intensive care and efforts by medical professionals, Trigg succumbed to complications from drowning.
“It is with unbearable grief that we share our sweet Trigg went to be with Jesus,” a statement released on the family’s Instagram page read. “He fought so hard. We held his hands, kissed his cheeks, and told him how deeply loved he is every minute. Now, we are holding onto each other and our faith.”
Described by family and followers alike as a “sunbeam in a stormy world,” Trigg Kiser brought joy not only to those who knew him personally but also to the millions who watched him grow up on TikTok and Instagram through the lens of his mother, Emilie Kiser, a 26-year-old social media influencer and stay-at-home mother of two.
With over 3 million followers on TikTok, Emilie has built a deeply loyal audience by sharing intimate, often unfiltered glimpses into her daily life as a wife and mother. Trigg regularly appeared in her videos — often clad in matching family outfits, running through sprinklers in the backyard, or giggling through bedtime routines. Viewers watched him grow from infancy into a bright, energetic toddler full of curiosity and boundless energy.
“He had the most expressive eyes. You could see all of his joy in just one look,” one follower commented under a tribute post. “Even through a screen, you could feel the love in that family.”
The Kiser family’s devastating loss has rippled through both the digital and physical world, sparking tributes, condolences, and fundraisers from followers, fellow influencers, and strangers alike.
Within hours of the announcement of Trigg’s passing, the hashtag #TriggKiser began trending on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Supporters shared video montages of Trigg, messages of solidarity, and candlelight vigil footage from across the country. Several influencers with large followings paused scheduled content to acknowledge the tragedy and offer support.
The community also came together in tangible ways. A verified GoFundMe campaign, set up by a family friend to help the Kiser family cover funeral costs and medical expenses, surpassed $250,000 within the first 48 hours. Thousands left messages expressing their love, heartbreak, and condolences.
One donor wrote: “Your little boy touched more hearts in three years than many do in a lifetime. We are crying with you and praying with you.”
Trigg’s drowning has reignited conversations around child safety, especially related to backyard swimming pools. Arizona, with its warm climate and high number of residential pools, ranks among the top U.S. states for child drownings each year.
Local fire departments and pediatricians have used the tragedy to advocate for increased public awareness around pool fencing, constant supervision, and the importance of CPR training. Though the specific circumstances around Trigg’s accident remain private, authorities confirmed that the incident has been ruled a tragic accident with no suspicion of foul play.
“Children can slip away in seconds,” said Dr. Leanna Vaughn, a pediatric trauma specialist not involved in the case. “No amount of preparation can replace a moment of prevention. These stories are every parent’s nightmare.”
The Kiser family has not yet commented on whether they plan to engage in future advocacy, but close friends say Emilie has already expressed interest in working to raise awareness in Trigg’s memory once the family begins to heal.
As friends and loved ones gathered for a small private memorial service over the weekend, those closest to Trigg remembered him as a boy “full of sunshine and sparkle.” He loved dinosaurs, dancing in the living room, and chocolate chip pancakes. His favorite color was yellow.
In a moving Instagram reel posted by Emilie just hours after the announcement of his passing, short clips played to soft piano music showed Trigg laughing, napping on his father’s chest, and helping his older sister decorate cookies. The caption read:
“You were our joy. You were everything bright and soft and perfect. We love you endlessly, baby boy.”
The family’s pastor, who officiated the memorial, shared that Trigg’s life, while brief, was filled with purpose.
“His life taught us to hold our children tighter, to slow down, to appreciate each giggle and muddy footprint,” he said. “Trigg lived every day surrounded by love, and he returned that love tenfold.”
The public mourning of Trigg’s death has also sparked broader discussions around the nature of digital intimacy, especially when influencers share personal family moments with a large audience. Many of Emilie’s followers feel as though they lost someone close to them.
“I’ve never met them, but I cried like I lost a nephew,” one commenter wrote. “That’s what happens when someone lets you into their life with such honesty.”
While the reaction has largely been compassionate and respectful, some experts caution that online grief must also be handled delicately.
Dr. Carla Newton, a psychologist specializing in grief and trauma, explained: “Public mourning has always existed in different forms, from newspaper obituaries to televised funerals. But the influencer era has created an entirely new layer of communal grief — one where millions feel personally invested.”
In the days since Trigg’s passing, Emilie and her husband have remained largely off social media, with only a few posts offering glimpses of their grief journey. They have requested privacy as they navigate the unimaginable path ahead.
Close friends say Emilie has expressed gratitude for the support and prayers they’ve received.
“She said the messages and flowers have been like a light in the darkest tunnel,” one family friend shared anonymously. “They’re just trying to get through the next hour, the next day.”
While Trigg’s passing is an unimaginable loss for one family, it has also united millions in an outpouring of empathy, compassion, and love. His life, though short, was deeply meaningful — not just to those who held his hand but to the millions who held him in their hearts.
As one tribute post so simply put it: “The world is dimmer without your smile, Trigg. You will always be remembered.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, support is available. Contact the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) at www.childrengrieve.org or call 1-866-324-4739.
