CHANDLER, Ariz. — Newly released police records reveal disturbing details in the drowning death of influencer Emilie Kiser’s 3-year-old son, Trigg — including allegations that her husband, Brady Kiser, was placing a $25 sports bet and watching basketball as the tragedy unfolded.
The Tragic Day
According to the Chandler Police Department (CPD) report, the incident occurred on May 12 while Emilie was out with friends. At home, Brady was caring for Trigg and the couple’s newborn, Theodore. Brady told investigators he lost sight of Trigg for three to five minutes while tending to the baby, only to later find him in the family’s backyard pool.
However, CPD investigators — citing home surveillance video — say the reality was far worse. The footage allegedly shows Trigg unsupervised outside for over 9 minutes, with approximately 7 of those minutes spent in the pool before Brady discovered him.
Trigg was hospitalized but died six days later from his injuries.
Police Allegations and the $25 Bet
The CPD report states Brady was watching an NBA playoff game during the incident and had placed a $25 sports wager around the time Trigg went missing. Authorities allege his account of events was inconsistent with what was seen on video.
“Brady’s statements do not match what is seen on the video; he did not accurately describe one thing [Trigg] did after he went outside,” the report reads. “This leads to the conclusion that Brady was not aware of what [Trigg] was doing and was not watching him.
The combination of these factors led to drowning, and a remedy to any of the contributing circumstances could have prevented the outcome.”
Criminal Charge Recommendation — and Why It Wasn’t Pursued
The CPD recommended Brady be charged with a Class 4 felony for child abuse, but on July 25, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced there was “no likelihood of conviction” and declined to prosecute.
Court documents indicate Emilie’s legal team successfully petitioned to seal two pages of the police report that outlined the reasoning behind the recommended charge.
Legal Battles Over Privacy
Emilie, known for her large online following, has fought to limit public access to certain case records. In May, she filed a lawsuit in the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County to keep documents regarding Trigg’s death from public release, citing more than 100 public records requests to the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On June 3, the court granted her temporary confidentiality for her personal declaration, which a source described as “an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma… not for public consumption.”
Public Scrutiny and Online Reaction
The drowning has ignited public debate over parental responsibility, online privacy for influencers, and the ethics of releasing sensitive case details. Emilie’s supporters have expressed sympathy for her grief, while critics question the decision not to prosecute Brady despite the CPD’s findings.
As of now, Emilie has made no public comment on the new police report, but the tragedy continues to reverberate — both in legal circles and on social media.