Off The Record
Influencer Lizzie Kieffer Mourns Loss Of 1-Year-Old Daughter
A well-known social media family is in shock following a devastating death that occurred just weeks after a happy family milestone.
On April 26, 2025, pediatrician and influencer Lizzie Kieffer of Missouri announced the death of her 12-month-old daughter, Lily. The announcement was made via a somber and uplifting Instagram post. Less than two months have passed since she and her husband, Matt, announced the good news of her third pregnancy.
The statement began with a single, devastating sentence, “We are shattered,” and goes on to explain that the family woke up on Wednesday to what she expressed was a “nightmare” and confirmed that their daughter, Lily, had passed away.
In addition to expressing profound sadness, the statement referred to the young girl as “the purist of beings,” a youngster who brought joy to every area she touched.
Lily had a previously unidentified brain mass, according to more background from the post. Medical specialists only learned about the disease after her death, according to Lizzie, who also stated that her daughter had no symptoms prior to her death.
“We won’t know more answers with many of these things for months until further testing is done,” she explained, adding that she and her husband are still processing the limited information they have.
The pair is relying on their faith in spite of their suffering. Lizzie stated, “What we do know is God is faithful and brings light to the darkest of places.” She stated that she thinks Lily is in heaven and that she gets solace in picturing her daughter having fun in her ball pit or red toy car.
The tragedy comes at a poignant moment in the family’s life. In March, Lizzie had posted about expecting a third child, due in September, and joked about managing “3 under 3.” At the time, she celebrated the baby as a “new little miracle,” not knowing what sorrow the future held.
Lizzie revealed that loved ones’ and followers’ support has been greatly appreciated while the family grieves. “Please keep our family deep in your prayers,” she wrote in a letter. “We appreciate it more than you know.”
Her obituary states that Lilian “Lily” Louise arrived at heaven “wrapped in endless love and light.” She lived up to the meaning of her name—pure and beautiful—and was characterized as a spark of pure delight.
Lily had a strong relationship with her older sister, Mia, and was always at ease in her father’s embrace. Laughing in her ball pit, riding in her tiny red car next to Mia, and chasing her family up the stairs were some of her favorite times.
Following Lily’s death, Rex and Karla Degner, her parents, her sister, and her grandparents, Jeffrey and Deborah Kieffer, are left behind. Her great-grandparents, Larry Keenan, James Degner, Sheila Kelly, and James and Rita Kieffer now reunite with her.
The obituary ended with a heartfelt tribute, “Though her time with us was far too short, Lily’s light and spirit will remain with us forever—bright, pure, and full of love.”
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, friends and family are welcome to see Lily at the McGilley State Line Chapel in Kansas City, Missouri, to offer their condolences. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a Rosary service.
Lily’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Leawood, Kansas, on Wednesday, April 30 at 10 a.m. A procession will take participants to her final resting place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas, following the Mass, which will be followed by lunch.
You can give St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School a memorial donation in lieu of flowers by writing “Lilian Kieffer” or “Kieffer Memorial Gift.”
Outside of her online presence, Lizzie is a physical therapist who started her practice to assist women with pelvic health, postpartum recuperation, and pregnancy.
Through her Mind Body Core programs, she aimed to develop tools that empower women globally after graduating in 2018. As a loving mother, she frequently shares with Matt, Mia, the late Lily, and their dog, Snickers, her passion for pickleball, morning rituals, and family time.
Regretfully, there have been more tragedies for online influencers in recent weeks. People revealed on April 23 that Dominique McShain, a TikToker, had passed away from terminal colon cancer. In April 2024, the 21-year-old, who lived in New Zealand, was told she had a terminal illness.
On March 5, 2024, she shared her diagnosis in a TikTok video, marking the beginning of her social media journey. She disclosed that her liver had been affected by the cancer.
The influencer claimed that helping people was her main motivation for creating the video. She had been studying psychology for that reason.
“I was, until two weeks ago, a third-year psychology student, and I wanted to do clinical psychology eventually,” she shared at the time. Dominique had also been working part-time in HR. However, because of her diagnosis, her studies and work came to a halt.
Yet, given the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in young people, she felt compelled to share her experience to change things and leave a legacy.
On April 6 this year, Dominique shared her final update on Instagram. “I want to be direct with you all: this will be my final update on my cancer journey until I have passed away,” she wrote.
By that time, Dominique’s prognosis had changed from a few days to a few weeks. She could no longer get treatment since her liver was deteriorating swiftly and the cancer was spreading quickly. She was now receiving end-of-life care.
With the unwavering love of her family and friends by her side, Dominique made the most of her brief existence. She married, relocated to a new place to pursue her interests, and took advantage of every opportunity to travel.
Even though she was unable to achieve all of her other goals, she “found peace in knowing there’s something more” that awaited her after she passed away.
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