Tragedy strikes 22 yo influencer as newborn baby dies. But now, the internet’s convinced the infant was never real

What began as a heartbreaking story of loss quickly spiraled into one of the most talked-about social-media controversies of the year. Kira Cousins, an influencer who built her following through lifestyle and pregnancy content, claimed that her newborn daughter died shortly after birth.

But as details of what she said happened unraveled, many of her followers and even people close to her began questioning whether the baby ever existed at all.

What happened to Kira Cousins’ baby?

Cousins, 22 and from Scotland, rose to online fame for posting personal videos chronicling her pregnancy. She shared ultrasound images, posted baby bump updates, and celebrated a gender-reveal party where she announced she was expecting a girl named Bonnie Leigh.

According to reports, she said the baby was born in early October 2025. Shortly afterwards, though, Cousins told followers that the infant had died of a congenital heart defect, describing it as “a hole in her heart.” She reportedly shared this tragic news in messages to a friend, TikToker Neave McRobert, the first to publicly confirm the story.

A doll in a car seat and an elaborate illusion

But McRobert later said that when she visited Cousins’ home, she saw what appeared to be a highly-realistic doll in a baby car seat, not a living newborn. She claimed that the father’s mother was the first to point out that the supposed baby did not move or cry, prompting the realization that something was wrong.

McRobert and other acquaintances said that Cousins had created an elaborate illusion, complete with a realistic doll, baby accessories, and social-media updates designed to convince followers of her motherhood. The father of the child, identified only as Jamie, was also allegedly led the believe the pregnancy and the baby were real. Cousins is also accused of lying to him about the newborn’s death.

No official records of a birth or death have been produced, and no hospital or local authority has confirmed that an infant matching Cousins’ description ever existed. The lack of verifiable documentation has only fueled speculation across social-media platforms, particularly on TikTok, where users are dissecting inconsistencies in her story.

Many noted the rapid timeline between pregnancy announcements, birth, and death, and the absence of typical mourning behavior online. Others suggested the entire episode may have been staged for attention or sympathy from followers.

A grieving mother or unsettling social media hoax?

On October, 20, 2025, Cousins addressed the controversy in a TikTok statement that has since been taken down. She said, “While I’m not condoning any behaviour led by myself, I’d like to clear some things up. No one should be hating towards either family, and specifically not Jamie. None of my family knew, nor did Jamie’s.”

She added, “My family sat me down and asked me what had happened earlier in my pregnancy which I will come out and address when I’m also ready to. Don’t for one min think either they let me away with any of this. THEY HAVEN’T.”