- Actor Chad Lowe and his wife, producer Kim Painter, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, that their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe, has died.
- The family's statement remembered Fiona as "smart, creative, and loved to dance" — "the light of our lives" — and asked for prayers and privacy.
- The statement's final line listed the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; the family did not disclose a cause of death.
- Fiona's school principal emailed parents Tuesday morning to say a student had died — without naming her — and made counselors available.
- Lowe, 58, the younger brother of Rob Lowe, is a father of three; last November he posted a birthday tribute calling Fiona "FiBear."
On Tuesday evening, actor Chad Lowe and his wife, producer Kim Painter, shared the news no parent should ever have to share: their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe, has died. Within hours, "Chad Lowe" was one of the fastest-rising searches in America, as fans and fellow actors reached for words that don't exist.
The Statement That Stopped Everyone Scrolling
"We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona," the family said in the statement, shared with People and Page Six on Tuesday. "She was a loving young girl who was smart, creative and loved to dance."
"She was adored by her sisters and she was deeply loved by her parents. In fact, she was the light of our lives. Her passing is devastating for our entire family and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time."
Then came the final line — the one everyone is talking about. The family closed the statement with the number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: "If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988."
The family has not disclosed a cause of death, and no official details have been released. Out of respect for their stated wish for privacy, that's where the facts end.
The Email No Parent Wants to Receive
According to Page Six, parents at the school Fiona attended received an email from the principal on Tuesday morning informing them that a student had died. The email did not name the student.
"It is with deep sadness that I am calling you to advise you of the death of one of our students," the email read. "Our sincere condolences go out to the student's family, friends and teachers. Counselors are available to meet with students and staff who may need emotional support during this difficult time."
"FiBear": The Birthday Post That Now Reads Like a Goodbye
Chad Lowe last posted about Fiona publicly in November 2025, when she turned 13. "Celebrating Fiona officially becoming a teen today!!" he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her smiling in cowboy boots. "Keep dancing through life FiBear! Love you soooo much!!" — with a string of red heart emojis.
The family has endured more than its share lately. In early 2025, the Palisades fire destroyed their Los Angeles home, and that February, Lowe shared photos of his daughters visiting the remains of the house where they grew up. "The way they've handled this whole devastating experience is nothing short of remarkable," he wrote. "Being their dad is my life's greatest joy and privilege."
Hollywood's Devoted Girl Dad
Chad Lowe, 58, is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe, and a familiar face in his own right — known for Life Goes On, 24, and Pretty Little Liars, and most recently a recurring role as Rob's onscreen brother in 9-1-1: Lone Star. He was previously married to actress Hilary Swank, and has been married to Painter, a producer, since August 2010.
On the "Still Here Hollywood" podcast in August 2024, he spoke about what raising three daughters had done to him. "It's put it in my heart, because I have three daughters," he said. "And so I look at the world, really, from their perspective."
Three daughters: Mabel, 17, Fiona, 13, and Nixie, 10. Now, unthinkably, two.
What Happens Next
The family has asked for prayers and privacy, and that's the only request that matters right now. No memorial details have been announced.
What's left is a grieving family, a school community in shock, and a reminder that lands hard every time: check in on the people you love — especially the teenagers, who carry more than they let on.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, emotional distress, or substance use concerns, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans at 116 123.