Fiona Hepler Lowe was the daughter of actor and director Chad Lowe and producer Kim Painter, and she grew up as one of three sisters in a closely connected family. Her death at the age of 13 on September 29, 2026, has brought renewed attention to the family members who surrounded her throughout her short life.
Fiona’s immediate family included her parents and her sisters, Mabel Painter Lowe and Nixie Barbara Lowe. Beyond her household, she was also part of the well-known Lowe family, which includes actor Rob Lowe, her paternal uncle.
While the family has been facing an extraordinarily painful period, public statements about Fiona have largely emphasized her personality, her relationships with those closest to her and the memories she leaves behind.
Her Parents
Chad Lowe
Chad Lowe is Fiona’s father and an Emmy-winning actor and director. He built his career across television and film, becoming widely recognized for performances in projects including Life Goes On and Pretty Little Liars.
Lowe has also worked extensively behind the camera as a director and producer. His career has included both acting and directing roles, giving him a longstanding presence in Hollywood.
Chad married Kim Painter in 2010, following their relationship and the growth of their family. Together, they raised three daughters and maintained a relatively private family life despite Chad’s public career.
For Fiona, however, Chad was first and foremost her father. Following her death, the family’s public remembrance has focused on the love surrounding her rather than on the details of her private life.
Kim Painter
Kim Painter is Fiona’s mother and a producer and casting professional. Her work in the entertainment industry placed her within Hollywood circles, although she has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband.
Kim and Chad shared their family life with their three daughters, Mabel, Fiona and Nixie. Their children were largely kept away from the intense attention that can accompany having famous parents.
The family’s recent statements have made clear how deeply Fiona was loved by her parents and sisters.
Her Sisters
Fiona was the middle child in the Lowe family’s three-daughter household.
Mabel Painter Lowe, born in 2009, is Fiona’s older sister and is 17 years old. As the eldest daughter, Mabel grew up alongside Fiona and Nixie and shared many of the family’s major experiences.
Nixie Barbara Lowe, born in 2016, is Fiona’s younger sister and is 10 years old. Fiona’s position between her two sisters meant that she was both an older and younger sibling within the family.
The sisters’ relationship has remained largely private. Family members and people close to the Lowes have emphasized the close bond between the children rather than publicly discussing private family matters.
Her Uncle
Fiona’s extended family includes one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors.
Rob Lowe is Fiona’s paternal uncle and Chad Lowe’s older brother. The two brothers have both maintained successful careers in entertainment, making the Lowe surname particularly familiar to television and film audiences.
Rob Lowe is known for productions such as The Outsiders, St. Elmo’s Fire, The West Wing and Parks and Recreation. Away from his professional career, he has also been part of the extended family supporting Chad, Kim and their daughters.
Following Fiona’s death, Rob Lowe rallied around his brother’s family during their time of grief, reflecting the importance of the extended Lowe family during the tragedy.
Her Grandfather
Fiona was also remembered within the wider family by her grandfather, Charles “Chuck” Lowe.
Public tributes described Fiona as a cherished granddaughter, offering another indication of the relationships she had within her extended family.
The Lowe family’s decision to remember Fiona through descriptions of her character has kept the focus on the young girl herself rather than allowing the circumstances of her death to define her entire story.
Her Name
Fiona’s middle name also has a family connection.
The name “Hepler” honors her paternal grandmother’s maiden name. It was a name shared elsewhere within the family, including by Fiona’s uncle.
The connection gave Fiona’s full name a piece of family history and linked her directly to an earlier generation of the Lowe family.
A Difficult Chapter
The family had already experienced a major upheaval before Fiona’s death.
In early 2025, the Lowes lost their Pacific Palisades home in the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. The house had been the place where their daughters had grown up, making its destruction an especially painful experience for the family.
Chad later spoke about the way his daughters handled the loss, describing their ability to adapt during a period of significant uncertainty.
That experience became part of the family’s recent history, but Fiona’s death has created an immeasurably more painful loss for everyone close to her.
Remembering Fiona
Fiona’s family has asked for privacy while grieving. Their public comments have described her as loving, intelligent, creative and someone who loved to dance.
Those descriptions offer a picture of Fiona beyond the headlines surrounding her death. She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and beloved member of a family that continues to mourn her.
At only 13 years old, Fiona had spent her entire life surrounded by her parents, sisters and extended relatives. Her family connections, from her immediate household to the wider Lowe family, remain an important part of how those who loved her remember her.
For Chad Lowe, Kim Painter, Mabel and Nixie, the loss is deeply personal. As they navigate the difficult period ahead, Fiona’s family is choosing to remember the life she lived and the love she brought into their family.