Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a heartbreaking announcement shared on April 26, 2025, social media influencer Lizzie Kieffer revealed the sudden death of her 12-month-old daughter, Lilian "Lily" Louise. The Missouri-based content creator, who has over 300,000 followers across platforms, described waking up to "a nightmare" on Wednesday, April 23, when they discovered Lily had passed away.
"We are shattered," Kieffer wrote in her emotional Instagram post. "Our hearts, our bodies, our souls ache for her as she was the purist of beings and brought light to every single space she filled."
Medical professionals discovered a previously undetected "large mass" on Lily's brain. According to Kieffer, "She never showed signs. We won't know more answers with many of these things for months until further testing is done."
The tragedy comes just weeks after Kieffer had announced on March 2 that she and husband Matt were expecting their third child, due in September 2025. The couple are also parents to older daughter Mia.
In Lily's obituary, her parents described her profound connection with her sister, writing that she "[adored]" Mia, "whose every move brought her awe and delight." The obituary continued, "She wrapped herself around her mother's heart with a bond too deep for words and was a true Daddy's girl."
The family's faith has been a source of strength during this unimaginable loss. "We don't have answers and we don't know why this is God's plan for our lives," Kieffer wrote. "What we do know is God is faithful and brings light to the darkest of places."
Kieffer, who uses her background in physical therapy to educate women about health throughout pregnancy and postpartum, spoke directly to her daughter in her announcement: "You will always, always be a part of us and although the hole will never be filled, speaking your name will sing through our days bringing joy into the moments."
The news stunned the parenting and creator community. Fellow influencer Madeline Custer commented, "Words are so inadequate—I am praying for an unexplainable peace for you guys that could only come from God." Physical therapist Dr. Mae Hughes added, "Lily was an absolute light. I pray for peace over you and your family."
A visitation service was scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, followed by a funeral mass on Wednesday, April 30. Lily is survived by her parents, sister, and four grandparents.
In her 374 days of life, as her mother poignantly noted, Lily "taught us more than I think many could in their lifetime."
