TikTok Star Emilie Kiser Sues for Privacy After Son's Tragic Drowning

TikTok Star Emilie Kiser Sues for Privacy After Son's Tragic Drowning

3 minute read
Published: 5/31/2025

Emilie Kiser has filed a lawsuit to keep details of her 3-year-old son's drowning death private, citing emotional harm and a media frenzy surrounding the tragedy that has generated over 100 public records requests.

Kiser's lawsuit, which references Arizona law protecting the privacy interests of grieving families, aims to prevent the release of critical documents related to her son Trigg's death, including police reports and autopsy findings. The case highlights the broader implications of privacy for families in the public eye, particularly amidst intense media scrutiny and commercial interest in personal tragedies.

Trigg Kiser died on May 18, after spending six days in critical condition following a drowning incident in a backyard pool. The tragic event has sent ripples through the community, and it has been the subject of intense media and public interest ever since.

On the day of the incident, authorities received a call regarding a drowning and found Trigg unconscious in the pool when they arrived. Despite immediate medical attention, the young boy succumbed to his injuries a little over a week later, leading to widespread reports about the case.

In her lawsuit, Emilie Kiser expresses concerns that the public attention has invaded her family's grieving process. She states that the media coverage surrounding her son's death has turned into a frenzy, making it difficult for her and her family to process their loss. Kiser claims that the requests for public records are not merely for legitimate inquiries but are driven by commercial interests that could exacerbate their emotional distress.

Kiser has not reviewed any of the over 100 public records requests that have been submitted regarding Trigg's death, and she has indicated that she does not plan to look at them. She believes that the release of information, including police reports, security camera footage, and autopsy details, would serve as a source of additional pain for her and her family.

The lawsuit cites Arizona law, which acknowledges the compelling privacy interests families have when dealing with the death of a loved one. According to this legal framework, courts can restrict access to records if their release would likely result in substantial harm, further reinforcing Kiser's legal stance.

Kiser's situation is emblematic of the struggles faced by social media influencers, who often find their personal lives scrutinized and sensationalized. With a public following, the boundaries between private sorrow and public interest can become blurred, leading to difficult consequences for family members navigating tragic situations.

In addition to grappling with the loss of Trigg, Kiser is also nurturing her 2-month-old son, Theodore, with her husband Brady Kiser. She has remained out of the public eye recently, refraining from posting on social media since May 12, a measure that may be a part of her attempt to shield her family from further scrutiny during this trying time.

The flood of public records requests serves not only to highlight the circumstances of Trigg's death but also to bring attention to the contentious issue of privacy rights in the age of social media. As families like Kiser’s face increasing pressure from public and media demands for information about their loved ones, the question of how to honor personal privacy amidst growing public interest remains a significant challenge.

As the lawsuit progresses, it will reportedly examine the balance between the public's right to know about incidents involving public figures and the personal rights of families experiencing profound tragedy. Kiser's legal actions may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially influencing legal precedents around privacy rights in Arizona and beyond.

Kiser's case sheds light on the difficult position many social media influencers find themselves in, where their personal tragedies can quickly become public spectacle. It raises broader questions about how society navigates the intersection of tragedy, privacy, and media consumption, especially as digital platforms continue to evolve and shape public discourse.