Family announcement and tribute

Actor Chad Lowe and his wife, television producer Kim Painter, announced the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe, on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The couple confirmed the loss in a statement distributed to media outlets, including People and Page Six. Emergency personnel and investigative authorities were called to the family home at 0:10 on Tuesday morning. Law enforcement and the family have not disclosed a formal cause of death. The couple described their daughter as an intelligent, creative child with a deep passion for dance.

“We are deeply heartbroken over the loss of our beloved Fiona. 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.”

Crisis helpline appeal

The family requested space and support as they manage the immediate aftermath of the loss. The announcement concluded with a dedicated appeal providing immediate contact channels for crisis prevention. Lowe and Painter urged anyone encountering personal psychological hardship or supporting a family member in distress to contact national support services.

“Her passing is devastating for our entire family and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time. 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.”

Lowe had regularly shared family moments on social media, including a tribute published for Fiona's thirteenth birthday in November. In that post, Lowe celebrated her entrance into adolescence, sharing a photograph of Fiona and encouraging her to continue dancing through life. Condolence messages from colleagues and followers began appearing on the family's social media platforms following the announcement.

Family milestones and history

Fiona was born on 16 November 2012, the second of three daughters born to Lowe and Painter. The couple married in 2010 following Lowe's 2007 divorce from Hilary Swank. Their eldest daughter, Mabel Painter, was born in 2009 and is 17 years old, while their youngest daughter, Nixie Barbara, was born in 2016 and is 10 years old. In January 2025, the Lowe household suffered the loss of their home during the wildfires that spread across Pacific Palisades, California. Lowe and his three daughters returned to the property shortly afterward to inspect the remains of the house where the children had grown up.

Careers in television and film

Lowe, 58, is an established actor, television director, and producer, working alongside his wife Kim Painter, who is 52. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 1993 for his performance as Jesse McKenna on the television series Life Goes On. Over his career, Lowe appeared in numerous American series, including recurring or featured roles on Pretty Little Liars, Melrose Place, 24, Law & Order, Supergirl, and 9-1-1: Lone Star, as well as the feature film Unfaithful. He is the younger brother of Hollywood actor Rob Lowe, known for roles in films such as The Outsiders, Austin Powers, and Contact, as well as the television series Parks and Recreation.