Emilie Kiser Files to Keep Footage of 3-Year-Old Son's Drowning Sealed as New Details Emerge About His Death (Exclusive Source)

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2 days ago

On May 18, local police confirmed to PEOPLE that Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son, Trigg, died on May 18 after he was involved in a drowning incident six days earlier
The influencer filed a lawsuit on May 27 to keep records about her son's death out of public view. Over 100 requests were filed for access to public records, and a source tells PEOPLE this included requests for footage of Trigg's fatal accident
Amid the ongoing case, Kiser filed a separate motion to keep her "personal declaration" private. On June 3, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled to grant her temporary confidentiality on her larger request as well while the court reviews evidenceEmilie Kiser and her legal team have taken a major step in their effort to keep records sealed about the death of her 3-year-old son Trigg.
On June 3, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in the influencer's favor on a separate motion she filed to keep her personal declaration private. The court order will grant Kiser temporary confidentiality on both her declaration and her larger request for privacy while the court reviews evidence to make a final ruling.
A source tells PEOPLE exclusively that Kiser's personal declaration "reflects an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma, submitted to help the court understand her perspective — not for public consumption."
"The core legal issues remain fully transparent through public filings by counsel and the court. Emilie's sealed declaration does not hinder the public's understanding of the case or its legal significance," the source says. "Preserving a small measure of privacy in the midst of public scrutiny is a reasonable and compassionate choice given the circumstances."
On May 18, a spokesperson for the Chandler Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12. The toddler died on May 18, per the statement.
Kiser — who has 1.7 million Instagram followers — filed the lawsuit to keep records about the tragedy out of public view just over one week after the toddler's death was confirmed. According to court documents, Kiser's legal representation stated that she and her family "desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," adding that Trigg's death "has become a media frenzy."
The lawsuit said that the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office has received over 100 requests for access to public records related to the incident. A source tells PEOPLE that said filings include "requests for the footage of a toddler's death, which only serves to satisfy morbid curiosity more than any type of justice."
"Rabid fans and media have surrounded Emilie's home, filmed through her windows, sent unsolicited packages, contacted members of her family who have private phone numbers, and even falsely announced Trigg's death in the press before it was confirmed," adds the insider.
Kiser was not home at the time of the drowning accident, says the source, who maintains that the influencer "should not be forced to relive the aftermath" as she mourns her son.
"Emilie has fully cooperated with investigators," the source tells PEOPLE. "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 insider describes Kiser's larger, ongoing lawsuit to seal records as "a deeply personal, and reasonable, plea to prevent the public release of the most traumatic moment of her life."
The source continues, "Emilie's 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."
Read the original article on People