Chad Lowe’s father honors granddaughter Fiona after her death at 13

Key points

• Chad Lowe and Kim Painter confirmed the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona, in a statement to People magazine on September 29, 2026.
• The family described Fiona as a 'loving young girl' who was 'smart, creative, and loved to dance,' and requested privacy and prayers.
• The family included a reference to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, though they did not explicitly confirm the cause of death.
• The news was corroborated by an email from Fiona’s school principal, which confirmed a student’s death without naming the individual.
• Chad Lowe’s father, Chuck Lowe, posted a tribute to Fiona on Instagram on September 30, sharing a photo of her swimming in a pool with the caption 'Rest in peace sweet Fiona.'
• 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 and Kim Painter have been married since 2010 and have three daughters: Mabel, 17, Fiona, and Nixie, 10. 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. The family had also faced a mugging incident involving Rob Lowe’s son, John Owen Lowe, in New York City, which Rob Lowe discussed in a podcast appearance.

How outlets are covering it

E! Online emphasized the emotional tribute from Chad Lowe’s father, Chuck Lowe, who posted a photo of Fiona swimming in a pool on Instagram with the caption 'Rest in peace sweet Fiona.' The Los Angeles Times focused on the family’s statement to People magazine, noting that they did not reveal a cause of death but included a reference to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. USA Today highlighted the family’s request for privacy and prayers, and the inclusion of the mental health resource. All three outlets agreed on the basic facts of Fiona’s death and the family’s statement, but differed in their emphasis on the emotional response and the context of the family’s previous trauma.

Why it matters

The death of a 13-year-old child is a tragic event that highlights the importance of mental health resources and the impact of family trauma. The family’s request for privacy and prayers underscores the need for respect and support for grieving families. The inclusion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the statement emphasizes the importance of mental health resources and the need for support for those struggling with mental health issues.

What to watch

The family has requested privacy and prayers, and it is unclear what the next steps will be. The family may choose to share more details about Fiona’s death in the future, but for now, they are asking for respect and support. The family may also choose to use this tragedy to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.