Latest news with #PublicRecordsLaw
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Influencer Sues To Keep 3-Year-Old Son's Death Details Private After TikTok 'Frenzy'
Popular lifestyle influencer Emilie Kiser is suing multiple public offices in Arizona in order to keep details about her 3-year-old son's death private after his accidental drowning became the center of an online 'frenzy.' 'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son,' who is 2 months old, Kiser's attorneys wrote in a lawsuit filed Tuesday and published by the Arizona Republic. 'But every day is a battle.' Kiser amassed more than 4 million followers on TikTok and 150,000 subscribers on YouTube by regularly showcasing her family's life and her experience of motherhood. Her vlogs, which recently gave a glimpse into her postpartum life, were heartwarming and light, but fans noticed she had stopped posting on May 12. The lawsuit says that her 3-year-old son, Trigg, died on May 18 'following a heartbreaking accidental drowning.' On May 12, he had been pulled unconscious from a pool at the family's home in Chandler, Arizona. Despite Kiser and her family 'desperately' wanting to grieve in private, Trigg's death sparked a 'media frenzy,' according to the lawsuit. In one case, a TikTok user shared a screenshot from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's website to immediately confirm the 3-year-old's death to his more than 1 million followers. While Kiser received support from her fans, she also received blame from people who obsessively looked through her old videos and promoted an unsubstantiated theory that the influencer had refused to have a pool fence installed. More than 100 public record requests have been filed with both the city of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner following Trigg's death, according to the lawsuit, which says Kiser has not reviewed the information contained in these records, but assumes they reveal 'graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Trigg's death.' Her legal team also believes that 'many' people requesting records are doing so for 'commercial purposes.' '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 argues. The situation has sparked discussion online, with some commenters pointing to the obsession over Trigg's death as an example of parasocial behavior, a one-sided psychological attachment toward a celebrity or influencer. Wait, What The Heck Is A 'Parasocial Relationship'? Mexican Beauty Influencer Shot To Death During TikTok Livestream President Donald Trump Taps Wellness Influencer Close To RFK Jr. For Surgeon General
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
TikTok influencer sues to keep records about her son's death private
TikTok influencer Emilie Kiser is suing Arizona officials to keep records about her 3-year-old son's death private. Earlier this month, Kiser's eldest son, Trigg, died several days after he was found unconscious in a backyard pool at the family's home in Chandler, about a 30-minute drive southeast of Phoenix, according to local reports. Kiser shares her life as a mom on TikTok where she has four million followers. On Tuesday, Kiser filed a lawsuit against Arizona officials, arguing the disclosure of records related to her son's death 'causes renewed trauma to surviving family members and violates their right to grieve privately.' Kiser 'is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now' after the 'heartbreaking accidental drowning' of her son earlier this month, according to the suit. The toddler died in hospital six days after he was found in the pool, KPNX reported. 'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son…but every day is a battle,' the lawsuit said. Kiser and husband, Brady, welcomed their second son, Theodore, in March. Since Trigg's death, more than 100 public records requests have been filed with the city of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. "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,' the suit read. While the suit does acknowledge Arizona's Public Records Law, which gives the public the right to view records maintained by public offices, 'this right of access is not absolute.' Kiser's lawyers argue Arizona law also, 'recognizes that family members have a compelling privacy interest in preventing the disclosure of graphic materials related to a loved one's injuries or death.' Kiser has not posted on TikTok since May 12. The suit names several Arizona public offices, including the city of Chandler, the Chandler Police Department, the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Jason Berry, director of communications for Maricopa County, told NBC News on Thursday, '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.' Berry said court proceedings will determine if the records related to Trigg's death will be permanently sealed.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Emilie Kiser's lawyer shares emotional statement after her son's death aged 3
Emilie Kiser's lawyer has shared a public message following the death of Kiser's three-year-old son Trigg. The TikTok star's toddler son died on Sunday, after falling into a swimming pool a week earlier. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with the Chandler Arizona Police Department commenting: 'The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remain ongoing. This is still an open investigation.' Now, in a new statement, Kiser's lawyer – whose name was not reported – commented: 'Emilie is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now. 'She lost her young son, her 3-year-old Trigg Chapman Kiser ('Trigg'), on May 18, 2025, following a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the family's home on May 12, 2025. More Trending 'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle.' The statement came as part of a lawsuit to block the release of records surrounding her son's death. The lawsuit, as seen by Arizona Republic showed Kiser's lawyer stated the family's reasoning for the block: 'The records requested presumably reveal graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Trigg's death that have no bearing on government accountability. '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.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Chucky and Howard the Duck actor Ed Gale dies aged 61 MORE: Kool & the Gang legend Michael Sumler dies 'in car crash' aged 71 MORE: Hollyoaks star Paul Danan's death at 46 ruled misadventure
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Influencer Emilie Kiser sues to keep information about son Trigg's death private
Influencer Emilie Kiser has moved to keep details about her son's drowning tragedy private, launching legal action to permanently bar the public release of records about the three-year-old's death. Trigg Kiser died after being pulled unconscious from a backyard swimming pool on May 12. First responders administered CPR at the home before rushing him to hospital in a critical condition. He died six days later. Ms Kiser has now asked the Arizona Superior Court to block government agencies, including the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and that of the medical examiner to keep their records about the death under wraps, claiming they could be used as a 'weapon of emotional harm'. Known for her lifestyle content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, Kiser has more than 4.6 million followers across her online platforms. She also has a two-month-old son, Theodore, with husband Brady Kiser. 'Emilie is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now,' the lawsuit reads. 'She lost her young son, her three-year-old Trigg Chapman Kiser on May 18, 2025, following a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the family's home on May 12, 2025. 'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle. '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. Appallingly, 100+ public record requests have been filed with both the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. 'The records requested presumably reveal graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Trigg's death that have no bearing on government accountability. 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.' Ms Kiser has pleaded with the court to order authorities to permanently bar the release of their records to the public, to avoid a 'profound invasion of privacy'. In Arizona police reports and 911 calls are considered public record, but a a court can rule to keep public records private if the release could cause 'substantial and irreparable private or public harm'. Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu told People the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Trigg's death is ongoing. 'Out of respect for the family's privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Weapon of emotional harm': Influencer sues over son's death
Influencer Emilie Kiser has moved to keep details about her son's drowning tragedy private, launching legal action to permanently bar the public release of records about the three-year-old's death. Trigg Kiser died after being pulled unconscious from a backyard swimming pool on May 12. First responders administered CPR at the home before rushing him to hospital in a critical condition. He died six days later. Ms Kiser has now asked the Arizona Superior Court to block government agencies, including the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and that of the medical examiner to keep their records about the death under wraps, claiming they could be used as a 'weapon of emotional harm'. Known for her lifestyle content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, Kiser has more than 4.6 million followers across her online platforms. She also has a two-month-old son, Theodore, with husband Brady Kiser. Trigg Kiser was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool. Credit: Instagram 'Emilie is going through a parent's worst nightmare right now,' the lawsuit reads. 'She lost her young son, her three-year-old Trigg Chapman Kiser on May 18, 2025, following a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the family's home on May 12, 2025. 'Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle. '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. Appallingly, 100+ public record requests have been filed with both the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. 'The records requested presumably reveal graphic, distressing, and intimate details of Trigg's death that have no bearing on government accountability. 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.' Ms Kiser has pleaded with the court to order authorities to permanently bar the release of their records to the public, to avoid a 'profound invasion of privacy'. In Arizona police reports and 911 calls are considered public record, but a a court can rule to keep public records private if the release could cause 'substantial and irreparable private or public harm'. Chandler Police Department spokesperson Sonu Wasu told People the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Trigg's death is ongoing. 'Out of respect for the family's privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed.'
