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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
‘Every day is a battle': influencer Emilie Kiser seeks to shield family from public scrutiny
Arizona-based influencer Emilie Kiser is at the center of a legal battle following the death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg Kiser, who was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool on May 12 and later died on May 18. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The case, already under a media spotlight due to Kiser's 3.4 million TikTok followers, has sparked widespread public interest — and more than 100 public records requests. Now, Kiser is asking a Maricopa County judge to stop the release of police footage, autopsy records, and other sensitive documents, citing the trauma and emotional harm their release could inflict on her family. 'Trigg's death has become a media frenzy' According to the Chandler Police Department, officers were the first to respond to the drowning call at the family's home in Chandler, Arizona — roughly 20 miles southeast of Phoenix. NBC affiliate KPNX reported that officers arrived to find the boy unconscious and began CPR until firefighters took over. Trigg remained in critical condition at a hospital until his death six days later. In a lawsuit filed on May 27, Kiser stated that she has not reviewed any of the requested public records, which include police reports, body camera footage, security video, and the autopsy report, and 'nor does she intend to.' "Emilie and her family desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," the lawsuit reads. "Trigg's death has become a media frenzy." The suit notes that the volume of public records requests has been overwhelming — more than 100 filed with the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. Kiser is requesting a court order to block their release entirely, pointing to emotional distress and the risk of irreparable harm. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Disclosure of graphic or intimate death-related records causes renewed trauma to surviving family members and violates their right to grieve privately," the lawsuit argues. Public's right to know vs. family's right to grieve Among the named defendants are the City of Chandler, the Chandler Police Department, and Maricopa County. Jason Berry, director of communications for Maricopa County, told NBC News that, "When Maricopa County learned the family was pursuing a court order to prevent the release of these records, the Office of the Medical Examiner worked with the family to place a seal on the record." Arizona law allows for public records — such as police reports and 911 calls — to be released, unless their disclosure could result in "substantial and irreparable private or public harm." Kiser's lawyers argue that applies here. However, legal experts say the court must weigh this against the public's right to transparency. Craig Weiner, a partner at Blank Rome law firm, told USA TODAY, "The public has an interest in newsworthy events. This is a high-profile person. They are in the news. And what makes it even more, they put themselves out there." Weiner noted that Kiser's public profile could work against her in court: "You can't turn around and say, 'this is affecting my privacy' when you posted a picture of your house and your kids." Still, he acknowledged the gravity of the family's suffering: 'They're concerned that the publication of it will cause all types of stress, emotional distress to the family, to the parents. They did the right thing by going to the judge.' 'Every day is a battle.' While the legal system sorts out what will remain public and what will be sealed, the Kiser family continues to grieve. "Kiser is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now," the lawsuit reads. "Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
TikToker Emilie Kiser's Lawyer Speaks Out on Son's "Nightmare" Death
Originally appeared on E! Online Emilie Kiser wants to grieve privately after her son's tragic death. Nearly two weeks after her and her husband Brady Kiser's 3-year-old son died after being rescued from a pool in their backyard, the TikToker shared more details surrounding the unfortunate incident in a lawsuit filed against Maricopa County public offices May 27. In the docs, obtained by NBC News, Emilie's lawyer detailed the influencer's grief over the "heartbreaking accidental drowning." "Emilie is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now," her lawsuit states. "She lost her young son." The suit continued, "Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle." She requested that the court prohibit the public release of details surrounding his death, saying it would be a "profound invasion of privacy." In response to the suit, Maricopa County's Office of the Medical Examiner said it "worked with the family to place a seal on the record" once it "learned the family was pursuing a court order to prevent the release of these records," director of communications for Maricopa County Jason Berry told NBC News May 29. More from E! Online How Julie Chrisley Feels About Ditching Her Blonde Hair After Prison Julie Chrisley Looks Unrecognizable in First Photo After Prison Release Chase Chrisley Reveals Todd and Julie Chrisley's Tearful Reaction to Seeing Each Other After Prison On May 12, the Chandler Police Department responded to a drowning call at the family's Arizona residence, per USA Today, for a child who had been pulled unconscious out of a backyard pool. Upon arrival, police and firefighters administered CPR before taking the toddler to Chandler Regional Hospital. He was later transferred to Phoenix Children's Hospital. But less than a week later, local authorities confirmed Trigg succumbed to his injuries and assured they are formally looking into the matter. 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the child's family and loved ones during this unimaginable time,' Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu said in a May 19 statement to E! News. 'The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remain ongoing. This is still an open investigation.' In the weeks leading up to Trigg's death, Emilie shared insight into her life as a mother through various snapshots of her spending time with her kids. Throughout the sweet montage, Emilie could be seen sitting on a picnic blanket outside cradling her youngest son before Trigg came over and gave her a kiss. In another clip, the TikToker watched with pride as her husband playfully hoisted their son into the air. "POV: the joy of being a mother," Emilie wrote over the heartwarming video posted to Instagram May 11, adding in the caption, "Forever grateful that I get to be a momma." And last month, the lifestyle blogger shared a glimpse into her daily routine as a mom of two. "I thought it would be fun to do a little night vlog with our new norm, which is two kids," Emilie said in an April 3 Instagram video, during which she nursed Theodore and put him down for bed before taking Trigg out for a swim. "Which is crazy to say." For more of Emilie's life as a mom, keep reading. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Husband and WifeA Family of Three...... and Then FourThe Sweet LifeEnjoying Every MomentBetter TogetherBath Time For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Influencer Emilie Kiser files lawsuit to keep details of 3-year-old son's death private
Arizona influencer Emilie Kiser filed a lawsuit Tuesday against multiple Maricopa County public offices to keep records of her 3-year-old son's death private. Trigg Kiser was pronounced dead on May 18, six days after he was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool, according to the Chandler Police Department. He was hospitalized in critical condition until his death, NBC affiliate KPNX of Phoenix reported. Emilie Kiser — the 26-year-old influencer who built a TikTok following of 3.4 million for her mom-and-wife lifestyle content — filed the suit over privacy concerns. Kiser also has a 2-month-old son, Theodore, with husband Brady Kiser. "Emilie and her family desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," the suit read. "Trigg's death has become a media frenzy." More than 100 public records requests have been filed with the city of Chandler and Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office since Trigg's death, which was accidental, according to the lawsuit. Kiser has not reviewed any of the records requested, including the police report, security camera footage, body camera footage or autopsy reports, the suit stated, nor does she intend to. Authorities found a 3-year-old unconscious and being pulled out of a pool when they responded to the drowning call in Chandler, about 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, on May 12, KPNX reported. The Chandler Fire Department previously told KPNX that police officers were the first to arrive and began CPR until firefighters arrived. The lawsuit cites Arizona law recognizing that family members have a compelling privacy interest related to the death of a loved one. "Disclosure of graphic or intimate death-related records causes renewed trauma to surviving family members and violates their right to grieve privately," the suit reads. A number of municipal offices were named as defendants in the suit, including the city of Chandler, the Chandler Police Department and Maricopa County. "When Maricopa County learned the family was pursuing a court order to prevent the release of these records, the Office of the Medical Examiner worked with the family to place a seal on the record," Jason Berry, director of communications for Maricopa County, told NBC News on Thursday. Spokespeople for the city of Chandler and Chandler Police Department told NBC News on Thursday the offices do not comment on pending litigation. Kiser's lawyers did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment. Kiser has not posted on social media since May 12. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mom Influencer Emilie Kiser Sues to Keep Her 3-Year-Old Son's Death Records Private
Arizona-based influencer Emilie Kiser has filed a lawsuit to keep the investigative records of her three-year-old son's drowning private. On May 18, Trigg Kiser, son of the mega-popular mom influencer, died following a drowning incident. The drowning, which happened on May 12, took place at the Kiser family home in Chandler, a suburb of Phoenix. According to the Chandler Police Department, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. 'Out of respect for the family's privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed,' said Chandler police spokesperson Sonu Wasu. More from Rolling Stone Why Are Health Influencers Drinking Raw Milk and Honey Shots at the White House? A Momfluencer's Son Drowned. Now Other Parents Are Rethinking How Much They Share Online How Kip Williams Remade 'Dorian Gray' for the TikTok Generation Emilie Kiser, 26, has 4 million followers on TikTok and rose to viral fame by sharing videos of her everyday life as a mom and wife. Her eldest son, Trigg, was often featured in her videos, and the news of his passing was met with an intense parasocial reaction, with viewers combing through Emilie's videos for proof of whether or not she had followed safety regulations, and even searching government websites for proof of Trigg's death. Now, in the wake of the tragedy, Emilie has filed a lawsuit to keep the details of the incident private. The lawsuit was filed on May 27 and lists Emilie as the plaintiff (though she is listed under her maiden name). 'Emilie is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now,' reads the lawsuit. 'Emilie and her family desperately want to grieve in private but sadly, the public will not let them. Trigg's death has become a media frenzy.' Emilie is 'trying her best to be there for her surviving two-month-old son, Theodore', the lawsuit says, but 'every day is a battle.' The records could include 911 calls, the autopsy report, photos of the scene, the police report, 'graphic security camera footage of the accidental drowning', autopsy photos, and a death certificate, according to the lawsuit. The records have not been made available to Emilie or her counsel, the lawsuit says. 'Nor does Emilie wish to ever view them.' The lawsuit notes that over 100 public records requests have been filed with the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office for investigative records related to Trigg's death. 'To allow disclosure in these circumstances would be to turn Arizona's Public Records Law into a weapon of emotional harm, rather than a tool of government transparency,' the lawsuit reads. Arizona Public Records Laws do include exceptions, including cases in which the release of a record would 'constitute an invasion of personal privacy and that invasion outweighs the public's right to know,' according to the National Freedom of Information Coalition. The lawsuit contended that the requests for the records related to Trigg's death were 'for commercial purposes' though Arizona law does not regard the requesting of records for journalistic purposes to be commercial. As such, if records were being requested related to Trigg's death for the purpose of news gathering, this exception may not apply. However the suit does not note who filed the requests. 'Trigg's untimely passing is a deeply personal and private family matter,' the lawsuit says, noting that the public was 'not involved in his passing' and the government was only 'tangentially involved' when first responders arrived at the home in response to a 911 call. 'Emilie and her family will suffer specific, material, and irreparable harm if the investigative records are released to the public.' The defendants include the City of Chandler, the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, and the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records. None of the agencies immediately responded to Rolling Stone's requests for comment. 'Emilie respectfully urges this Court to prevent the profound invasion of privacy that would result from the public disclosure of these sensitive materials,' the lawsuit reads. Emilie prays that the Court either enter an order permanently blocking the defendants from granting public access to the investigative or post-mortem records or that the court review the records before they are released to decide 'what, if any, information may be lawfully disclosed.' As part of the lawsuit, Emilie filed a four-page declaration, which has been entirely redacted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning deaths are on the rise. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of one and four. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son Trigg's drowning death private
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son Trigg's drowning death private Show Caption Hide Caption Influencer Emilie Kiser loses 3-year-old son after drowning incident Influencer Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son Trigg died after a drowning incident in Arizona. Police say he was discovered unconscious in backyard pool. Times of India - English Nearly two weeks after Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son died in a drowning incident, the social media influencer filed a lawsuit to keep records about his death out of public view. Trigg Kiser died on May 18 after being pulled from a backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona days earlier, Sonu Wasu, Chandler Police Department's public information officer, previously confirmed to USA TODAY. Attorneys for Emilie Kiser filed a lawsuit in Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County on May 27 to prevent the release of public documents related to Trigg Kiser's death. The complaint said Trigg Kiser died from an accidental drowning at the family's home. Emilie Kiser's attorneys said in the filing that she and her family "desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," adding that her son's death "has become a media frenzy." More than 100 requests have been filed with the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office for access to public records related to Trigg Kiser's death, the lawsuit said. USA TODAY filed a request with the City of Chandler for access to the police report. USA TODAY has reached out to Gallagher & Kennedy, the firm representing Emilie Kiser, for comment. Emilie Kiser's son 3-year-old Trigg Kiser dies after pool incident 'Every day is a battle' The lawsuit is pushing to prohibit officials from releasing public documents related to Trigg's death, including the police report, 911 call and scene photos. Emilie Kiser and her counsel have not seen the documents, the complaint says, but they presume the records are "exceptionally raw and graphic." The release of such records would "intrude upon personal dignity or cause unnecessary harm to private individuals," the lawsuit says. "Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore," the lawsuit says. "But every day is a battle." Trigg Kiser death Emilie Kiser's son's drowning shows how little privacy influencers get What are public records? How Arizona law works In general, police reports and 911 calls are considered public record, but each state has stipulations around the laws. In Arizona, police officials often redact portions of those items. Under Arizona law, a court can rule to keep public records private if the release could cause "substantial and irreparable private or public harm," according to the Arizona Legislature. Emilie Kiser's lawsuit alleges that the records have been requested for "commercial purposes," rather than the purpose of monitoring the government as intended by Arizona law. However, Arizona law does not consider requesting records for the purposes of news gathering to be a commercial purpose, according to Arizona Ombudsman Citizens' Aide. Media outlets generally request public records related to the deaths of public figures, such as celebrities. For example, the family of country singer Naomi Judd sued in Tennessee to restrict access to public records around her death in 2022, though they eventually dropped the lawsuit. Influencers struggle to balance public persona and privacy The events surrounding Emilie Kiser's son's death highlight the lack of privacy influencers have. Days before police confirmed the boy involved was Emilie Kiser's son, her millions of followers were sending her prayers, and her name was trending on Google. Rumors about the incident stemmed from a photo in a local news story that online users traced back to Emilie Kiser's home. While social media influencers are a type of modern public figure, they offer a go-between to connect with people "much more readily than a celebrity," John Powers, assistant professor of interactive media and design at Quinnipiac University, previously told USA TODAY. "The idea is, a social media influencer could be me, so therefore I feel like this person is just your average person who lives in a normal house and lives their lives like I do," Powers said. "But they also lose that separation when they have millions of followers and people who are constantly checking in on them." Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
