Emilie Kiser is undertaking significant transformations following the heart-wrenching loss of her son, Trigg Kiser. The beloved vlogger, who garnered millions of followers by candidly sharing the relatable ups and downs of motherhood, was harshly confronted with the sinister underbelly of the internet after Trigg, her cherished 3-year-old, drowned in the family's pool in May. Consequently, as she cautiously ventures back into the online realm, Emilie, who also mothers 5-month-old Theodore alongside her husband, Brady Kiser, has decided to implement stringent new precautions. In an emotional Instagram post dated August 28, she broke her public silence surrounding the tragic accident.
"I have consistently been my true self on social media, striving to honestly portray my everyday life while respecting the boundaries of what I choose to keep private," she penned. "However, this harrowing ordeal has revealed the lack of boundaries in online relationships, particularly when it comes to safeguarding children's privacy. Moving forward, I am establishing firmer boundaries regarding my online sharing."
Simultaneously, her devoted digital community has been an indispensable pillar in Emilie's healing journey, a process she acknowledged has scarcely begun and may never fully conclude. "The magnitude of this loss defies words," Emilie confessed. "I have spent countless days, weeks, and months attempting to articulate my grief while giving myself the time necessary to come to terms with the loss of my baby."
Amidst poignant reminiscences of Trigg, whom she adored as "our cherished infant and closest confidant," she bore the "sole and crushing weight of responsibility" for not installing a permanent pool fence at their Arizona abode—a preventive measure that, in hindsight, she profoundly laments could have been a悲剧ous mishap averted. Labeling this oversight as "one of the most soul-wrenching and agonizing lessons" imparted by the tragic event, she solemnly vowed, her voice thick with emotion, "Never again will I neglect such vital precautions, turning a blind eye to the safeguards that could protect what I hold most dear.""I hope, amidst this excruciating pain," Emilie emphasized, "Trigg's story will serve as a beacon to prevent other children and families from enduring the same heartbreak." She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her audience and all those who offered their condolences following Trigg's demise, highlighting the "outpouring of love."
Specifically, she underscored the indispensable role played by her and Brady's family during this trying time. "We could not navigate this without you," she wrote. Beyond the unconditional love and support, "the manner in which you have stood by us is something we can never adequately repay or thank you for." Friends and family, she added, "have quite literally carried us through this, and continue to do so daily."
Trigg passed away on May 18 in what authorities deemed an accidental drowning. According to search warrant applications filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, Brady informed Chandler, Arizona police that he was alone with both children while Emilie was out with friends. He stated that he was attending to then-2-month-old Theodore when Trigg fell into the pool. Brady recounted to police that Trigg had been playing near the pool, which was not uncommon, and was out of his sight for three to five minutes before he noticed the toddler in the water and promptly jumped in to rescue him. Brady mentioned that the pool usually had a protective cover, as detailed in his police interview.
Emilie subsequently filed a lawsuit to seal public records pertaining to Trigg's death, stating that she was "doing her utmost to be present for her surviving son... But each day is an uphill battle." The court temporarily granted her request to keep certain documents confidential.
Police recommended to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office that Brady be charged with one count of child abuse, but officials declined prosecution in July, citing "no reasonable likelihood of conviction." Brady's attorney told NBC News that he was "grateful to law enforcement and the county attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and confirming that this was a tragic accident."
Meanwhile, Emilie is doing what she can, when she can. "The sole path through grief is to persevere moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day," she reflected in her August 28 statement. "Since that fateful day, I have endeavored to pick myself up every moment." She noted her aspiration to share more about her grief journey in the future, acknowledging that she was not yet ready.
