Key Highlights
- Chad Lowe and Kim Painter announced the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona.
- Fiona died at home on 29 September; no cause of death has been released.
- The family urged anyone struggling with mental health to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Chad Lowe and Kim Painter announce daughter Fiona’s death
Chad Lowe and his wife, Kim Painter, have announced that their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona, has died. The couple described Fiona as a “loving young girl who was smart, creative, and loved to dance.”
In a family statement, the 58-year-old actor and director and Kim Painter said: “We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona.”
The statement added: “She was adored by her sisters and she was deeply loved by her parents.” The family also said: “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.”
A cause of death has not been released. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Fiona died at home on 29 September, with authorities called to the address at 12.10am, according to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ.
Family asks people to seek mental health support
In their statement, the family urged people to speak openly about their mental health and seek help if they are struggling. People reported that the statement said: “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,”
Chad Lowe, the younger brother of Rob Lowe, is also the father of Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10. Earlier this year, he shared a social media post expressing that he felt “blessed” to be a girl dad. The post included a video of Nixie on his shoulders and carried the caption: “This is what it’s all about.”
In another Instagram post, Chad Lowe marked Fiona’s 13th birthday, writing: “Celebrating Fiona officially becoming a teen today!! Keep dancing through life FiBear! Love you soooo much!!”
Chad Lowe family faced earlier loss after Pacific Palisades fire
Fiona’s death comes about a year after the Lowe family lost their home in the Pacific Palisades fire. The blaze burned through 1,200 acres and led the Los Angeles Fire Department to issue an evacuation order as winds reached 55mph and helped spread the fire.
A statement released by the fire department at the time said: “The Palisades Fire is burning near Palisades Drive. Those nearby should get set for a potential wildfire evacuation by gathering supplies and loved ones.”
One year after the fire, Chad Lowe reflected on the impact of losing the home where he and Kim Painter raised their family, describing their lives as having been “turned upside down by a completely preventable catastrophe”. He wrote: “It’s hard not to let the anger, despair, and frustration overwhelm. Losing everything I ever owned and the home we raised our family in is still deeply painful to this day,”
He added: “However, this terrible experience has been a powerful reminder of this simple truth – we can’t always control what happens to us in this life but we can control how we respond.”
Chad Lowe also praised his wife and daughters, writing: “And I have been so incredibly proud of how my wife Kim and our daughters have strived to make the absolute best of this extraordinarily difficult circumstance.”
He continued: “I am in awe of their resilience.”
Chad Lowe said his daughters, including Fiona, had returned to the site of their former home to see what remained. A family image showed them visiting the ruins after the Palisades fire.
Why This Matters
The family’s statement combines a private request for prayers and privacy with a public appeal for mental health support. The circumstances of Fiona’s death have not been disclosed, but the family has directed people experiencing mental health difficulties toward the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the UK, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year, at 0800 58 58 58, as well as through its webchat service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Fiona Lowe?
Fiona Lowe was the 13-year-old daughter of actor and director Chad Lowe and Kim Painter. The family described her as loving, smart, creative, and passionate about dancing.
When and where did Fiona Lowe die?
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Fiona died at home on 29 September. A cause of death has not been released.
What mental health support is available?
People in the United States can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the UK, CALM can be reached at 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year, and also provides webchat support.
