Lizzie Kieffer, a Missouri-based influencer known for sharing health and fitness advice through her background in physical therapy, is mourning the heartbreaking loss of her 12-month-old daughter, Lilian (“Lily”) Louise. Lily passed away unexpectedly on April 23, 2025, just weeks after Lizzie announced she and her husband, Matt Kieffer, were expecting their third child.

Tragic Loss of a Young Life

In an emotional Instagram post shared on April 26, Lizzie opened up about the devastating loss of her daughter. She wrote, “We are shattered. Wednesday we woke up to a nightmare that we never imagined becoming our reality. Our Lily passed away.” She described Lily as “the purist of beings” who “brought light to every single space she filled.” Lizzie continued, “Our days are written before we were even formed, and in Lily’s 374 days of life, she taught us more than I think many could in their lifetime.”

Despite the family’s grief, Lizzie shared that doctors had discovered a large mass on Lily’s brain following her passing, a condition that had not been detected earlier as Lily had not shown any symptoms. “We won’t know more answers with many of these things for months until further testing is done,” Lizzie explained.

The Role of Faith and Family Support

Throughout this tragic time, Lizzie spoke of how her faith has helped her and her husband cope with the unimaginable loss. She shared, “We don’t have answers and we don’t know why this is God’s plan for our lives. And we will never fully understand this mystery until we see her again one day. What we do know is God is faithful and brings light to the darkest of places.”

She expressed deep gratitude for the support of her family, friends, and followers, asking for continued prayers as the family navigates this difficult time. “Our family and friends are holding us when we don’t feel it’s possible to move. But we want you to know that we feel your prayers and your support. We feel God’s presence around our family and friends,” Lizzie added.

Remembering Lily’s Joyful Spirit

In an obituary for Lily, Lizzie and Matt reflected on their daughter’s joyful spirit and deep bond with her family. The obituary described Lily as an adoring younger sister to Mia, her older sibling, and as a “true Daddy’s girl,” finding comfort in her father’s arms. It also recounted Lily’s favorite activities, including playing in the ball pit, climbing up the stairs, and riding around in her little red car with Mia.

“She wrapped herself around her mother’s heart with a bond too deep for words,” the obituary read. “Her days were full of laughter and play, her favorite moments spent climbing into the ball pit, climbing up the stairs eager for the chase, or riding around in her little red car with Mia, the two of them side by side in simple, perfect happiness.”

Continuing the Journey

In addition to her husband and Mia, Lily is survived by her four grandparents. The Kieffer family has planned a visitation service for April 29 and a funeral mass for April 30. Lizzie also took a moment to speak directly to her daughter: “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.”

Just one month earlier, on March 2, Lizzie had joyfully shared the news that she was expecting her third child, due in September 2025. The Kieffers are navigating this heartbreaking loss with the support of their community, and their faith continues to provide comfort as they grieve the loss of their precious Lily.