Actor Chad Lowe and producer Kim Painter are mourning the devastating death of their 13-year-old daughter, Fiona Hepler Lowe.
The family confirmed Fiona’s death in a statement released Tuesday, Sept. 29, describing the teenager as a bright and creative young girl who brought enormous joy to those closest to her.
“We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona,” the family said.
They remembered Fiona as “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,” the statement continued. “In fact, she was the light of our lives.”
The family asked for prayers and privacy as they grieve the loss.
“Her passing is devastating for our entire family and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time,” they said.
No cause of death has been publicly disclosed as of Wednesday morning.
The family included information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in its statement, urging anyone struggling with their mental health to seek help. The inclusion of the resource should not be taken as confirmation of the circumstances surrounding Fiona’s death, which the family has not publicly detailed.
Fiona was born on Nov. 16, 2012, and was the middle of Chad and Kim’s three daughters.
Their oldest daughter, Mabel Painter Lowe, is 17, while their youngest, Nixie Barbara Lowe, is 10.
Just last November, Chad celebrated Fiona officially becoming a teenager with a loving social media message.
“Celebrating Fiona officially becoming a teen today!!” the actor wrote alongside a photograph of his daughter. “Keep dancing through life FiBear! Love you soooo much!!”
The message has taken on heartbreaking significance following news of her death.
Fiona and her sisters had already endured a major family loss less than two years ago.
The Lowe family’s Pacific Palisades home was destroyed during the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025. Weeks later, Chad shared photographs after taking his daughters back to see what remained of the house where they had grown up.
He praised the girls at the time for the way they handled the destruction.
“The way they’ve handled this whole devastating experience is nothing short of remarkable,” Lowe wrote. “I am in awe of their spirit and resilience.”
He added that helping his daughters through the ordeal had become his primary focus.
“Being their dad is my life’s greatest joy and privilege,” he wrote.
The Pacific Palisades fire was part of the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures and forced widespread evacuations.
Chad, 58, is the younger brother of actor Rob Lowe and has spent decades working in television.
He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Jesse McKenna on the ABC drama Life Goes On and later appeared in shows including Pretty Little Liars, Melrose Place and Supergirl. More recently, he appeared alongside his brother on 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Chad and Painter married in 2010 after welcoming their first daughter, Mabel, the previous year. Fiona arrived in 2012, followed by Nixie in 2016.
For now, the family has asked the public to respect their privacy as they mourn Fiona.
Their statement focused not on the circumstances surrounding her death, but on the daughter and sister they loved.
“She was the light of our lives,” they said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or needs someone to talk to, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The service is available 24 hours a day.
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