TikTok star Emilie Kiser wasn't home when toddler son drowned
TikTok star Emilie Kiser wasn't home when her three-year-old son fatally drowned in the family's backyard pool, a source told DailyMail.com.
Kiser, a popular mommy blogger, lost her son Trigg on May 18 - six days after he was found unresponsive in a backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona.
Before it was confirmed that Trigg, who was often featured in his mother's viral videos, was the child who died, many speculated online about him being the victim.
Once news broke that he was the boy who drowned, a 'media frenzy' unleashed as internet sleuths and fans of Kiser took it upon themselves to request records - including videos - in relation to his death, the source said.
She then filed a lawsuit a week after his passing against several agencies in Maricopa County to block private information from getting out to the public.
On June 4, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in her favor, granting her temporary confidentiality, meaning evidence will not be released while the court makes its final ruling on the tragedy.
The 26-year-old mother's declaration 'reflects an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma' that was 'submitted to help the court understand her perspective - not for public consumption,' per the source.
In her motion, Kiser specifically urged the court to keep not just detailed records of Trigg's death private, but also footage as '100+ public records requests' for the video have come in, according to the source.
The intense amount of records requests 'only serves to satisfy morbid curiosity more than any type of justice,' they added.
Kiser 'should not be forced to relive the aftermath through viral footage,' the source stated.
'The motions behind the push for release are concerning. In many cases, requests appear to be driven by monetization and notoriety, not accountability,' they continued. 'That is not a valid justification for invading a family's grief.'
Since news of her legal filing came out, many online have speculated that Kiser chose to do so as a way to cover up information, but according to the source, that is completely false.
'Emilie has fully cooperated with investigators. The focus here is not on withholding information, but on safeguarding the dignity of a child and allowing a grieving family the space and privacy to heal.'
The source also revealed chilling details on what Kiser and her family are going through as 'rabid fans' have swarmed her home and tried to reach out to them.
'Rabid fans and media have surrounded Emilie's home, filmed through her windows, and sent unsolicited packages' they said.
Kiser has four million followers on TikTok and 1.7 million on Instagram, but according to the source, her 'public profile does not negate her right to privacy, nor does it make her son's death a matter for public consumption.
'Being online should not strip someone of basic human decency.'
Following the tragic ordeal, a neighbor told DailyMail.com that the influencer's house was swarmed with five police cars.
Emergency responders arrived and performed life-saving efforts until Trigg was airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for specialized care.
Kiser hasn't posted since the tragedy, but her followers have continued to flood her accounts with messages of support and condolences before she turned off her comment sections.
Meanwhile, her husband Brady Kiser, Trigg's father, made his accounts private following his death.
Kiser or her legal representation haven't reviewed the police report, security camera footage, scene photos, 911 recording, or autopsy photos, per the lawsuit.
Kiser and Brady first became parents in July 2021 when they welcomed their son Trigg.
Just over two years later, in September 2024, the couple revealed they were expecting their second child.
In March, the Kiser family officially grew by one with the arrival of their second son, Theodore.
'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle,' the suit said.
The Chandler Police Department told DailyMail.com the case is still under investigation.
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