Emilie Kiser has achieved a significant legal victory in her ongoing efforts to maintain privacy regarding the tragic death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg. On August 8, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in her favor, allowing the redaction of two pages from the Chandler Police Department (CDP) report connected to Trigg’s drowning incident that occurred on May 12. Trigg passed away six days later after being hospitalized.
Emilie filed the request to censor the report on July 29, citing concerns that the details within those pages could deeply affect her family’s grieving process if made public. On behalf of Emilie, attorney Shannon Clark expressed gratitude to the court for allowing a redaction that protects the family’s privacy while ensuring the preservation of important facts regarding the incident. Clark emphasized that these redacted sections contained graphic depictions of Trigg’s final moments and that the decision was made to honor his memory.
The court’s ruling comes amidst conflicting perspectives on the case. A representative for The Arizona Republic, Matthew Kelley, argued that the censoring of the report limits public understanding of the police’s rationale in recommending that Emilie’s husband, Brady, face felony child abuse charges—a recommendation later dismissed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which determined there was “no likelihood of conviction.” The MCAO conducted a thorough investigation, involving senior attorneys to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.
Emilie’s previous legal efforts have aimed at shielding her family’s experiences from pervasive media attention, especially given the more than 100 requests for public records related to her son’s tragic incident. Her personal declarations submitted to the court were also sealed, emphasizing the emotional toll and trauma the family has endured.
As the Kiser family continues to navigate this painful chapter, their commitment to preserving Trigg’s memory is paramount. Emilie’s focus remains on nurturing her family’s ability to grieve privately and moving forward with love and support amid the public scrutiny surrounding their loss. This ruling not only facilitates that goal but serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of tragedy.