Fiona Hepler Lowe, 13, the daughter of actor, director and producer Chad Lowe and producer Kim Painter, died in a Los Angeles-area hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, according to County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner records.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, the office said Oct. 1.
The family announced her death in a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 29. “We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona. She was a loving young girl who was smart, creative and loved to dance,” the family said.
“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. Her passing is devastating for our entire family and we ask for prayers and privacy at this time.”
The statement concluded: “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.”
Tributes From Family and Friends
Fiona’s older sister, Mabel Painter Lowe, 17, posted an Instagram tribute with childhood photos of the two of them. “I love you so much fiona ❤️ I wish your short time here was easier and I hope your mind is at ease now. I will honor you forever and keep your memory alive. I love you, I hope you knew just how much,” she wrote.
Painter commented beneath the tribute: “Oh Mabel. I love you so much.” Actor Jeremy Renner also commented on the post, writing, “Bless you dear Mabel. My deepest condolences to you and the family,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Jessica Capshaw wrote, “What a beautiful tribute to your sister.” “Pretty Little Liars” actress Ashley Benson commented with dove and prayer emojis.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Mabel reposted to her Instagram Stories tributes from Fiona’s former dance teacher, Kendra Andrews, the sister of sportscaster Erin Andrews, and from a youth club and camp Fiona attended. Andrews shared two videos of Fiona rehearsing and wrote, “This first video was taken only a month after you lost your home in the fire,” referring to the Palisades Fire.
Fiona’s grandfather Charles “Chuck” Lowe, the father of Chad Lowe and actor Rob Lowe, posted an Instagram tribute Sept. 30, a day after the family announced her death, with a photo of Fiona smiling in a swimming pool. “Rest in peace sweet Fiona,” he wrote.
The principal of the school Fiona attended emailed parents on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 29, to say that one of the school’s students had died. The message did not identify the student and told families that counseling would be available to classmates and staff members who needed it.
A Family of Five
Chad Lowe, 58, and Painter, 52, have been married since August 2010. Fiona was born Nov. 16, 2012. Her middle name, Hepler, was Chad Lowe’s late mother’s maiden name and is Rob Lowe’s middle name. The couple’s other daughters are Mabel and Nixie Barbara Lowe, 10.
Chad Lowe marked Fiona’s 13th birthday in an Instagram post in November 2025, with a picture of her grinning in cowboy boots. “Keep dancing through life FiBear!” he wrote.
All five appeared together at the premiere event for “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., on Feb. 4, 2023. Lowe posted a family photo in May 2026 to wish Painter a happy Mother’s Day.
The Palisades fire tore through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles and destroyed the home of the family of five, among many others. Lowe posted photographs in February 2025 of his three daughters returning to the ruins of the house where they grew up, and one of the pictures showed the sisters standing with their arms around one another. The caption praised how the girls had coped with the loss, said he was in awe of their spirit and resilience, described guiding them through the aftermath as his sole purpose, and added that being their father was the greatest joy and privilege of his life.
Career and Earlier Marriage
Chad Lowe is the younger brother of Rob Lowe. He won an Emmy Award for his supporting role in “Life Goes On” as a young man living with HIV, and later acted in “Melrose Place” and “Pretty Little Liars.” He was previously married to actress Hilary Swank, and the two split in January 2006 after eight years of marriage.
On the “Still Here Hollywood” podcast in August 2024, Lowe said that fatherhood to three daughters had turned gender inequality and the glass ceiling from ideas he understood in his head into realities he felt, and that he now viewed the world through their eyes.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available in the U.S. any hour, by call, text to 988, or online chat. Anyone in crisis who texts 741741 can reach the Crisis Text Line, which provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.