Chad Lowe and Kim Painter Grieve 13-Year-Old Daughter Fiona

4 min read
Source: USA Today
Chad Lowe and Kim Painter Grieve 13-Year-Old Daughter Fiona
Photo: USA Today
TL;DR

Actor Chad Lowe and producer wife Kim Painter have confirmed the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona, in a statement released on September 29, 2026. The family described Fiona as a 'loving young girl' who was 'smart, creative, and loved to dance,' requesting privacy and prayers. They included a reference to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Fiona was the middle child of the couple, who also have daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10. The news was corroborated by an email from Fiona’s school principal, which confirmed a student’s death without naming the individual. The family had previously faced trauma when their Los Angeles home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire, an event Chad Lowe publicly acknowledged in February 2025.

Key points

  • Chad Lowe and Kim Painter confirmed the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona, in a statement released on September 29, 2026.
  • The family described Fiona as a 'loving young girl' who was 'smart, creative, and loved to dance,' requesting privacy and prayers.
  • They included a reference to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in their statement.
  • Fiona was the middle child of the couple, who also have daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10.
  • The news was corroborated by an email from Fiona’s school principal, which confirmed a student’s death without naming the individual.
  • The family had previously faced trauma when their Los Angeles home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire, an event Chad Lowe publicly acknowledged in February 2025.

Background

Chad Lowe, 58, is best known for his role as a teen on the ABC comedy-drama 'Life Goes On' and is the younger brother of Rob Lowe. He and Painter, 52, have been married since 2010 and welcomed Fiona in November 2012. The pair also share daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie Barbara, 10. Lowe's children make regular appearances on his Instagram. He shared a family photo in May, wishing his wife a Happy Mother's Day, and in November, he wished Fiona a happy birthday. In February 2025, Lowe shared pics of his daughters visiting what was left of their childhood home in Los Angeles, which was completely destroyed in the Palisades fire. He praised his children for their strength in such a difficult situation.

How outlets are covering it

USA Today, New York Daily News, and Page Six all reported the death of Fiona Lowe, age 13, based on a family statement released on September 29, 2026. All three outlets quoted the family's description of Fiona as 'a loving young girl who was smart, creative, and loved to dance' and their request for privacy and prayers. USA Today and Page Six noted the inclusion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the statement. New York Daily News cited law enforcement sources via TMZ, stating Fiona died at home on Tuesday and that authorities were called to the residence around 12:10 am. Page Six reported that an email from Fiona’s school principal confirmed a student’s death without naming the individual. All sources agreed on the family’s previous trauma from the 2025 Palisades Fire, which Chad Lowe publicly acknowledged in February 2025. No outlet reported a specific cause of death beyond the family's reference to mental health resources.

Why it matters

The death of a child in a prominent family highlights the ongoing challenges of mental health and suicide prevention among youth. The family's public request for privacy and the inclusion of crisis resources underscore the importance of supporting those affected by such tragedies. The incident also draws attention to the impact of previous traumatic events, such as the 2025 Palisades Fire, on family resilience and well-being.

What to watch

The family has requested privacy and prayers, and no further public statements are expected. The school has offered counseling services to students and staff. There is no indication of further public commentary from Chad Lowe or Kim Painter at this time.

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