Daveigh Chase, the former child star known for her roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, has died at the age of 35. Her death was confirmed by her father, John David Schwallier, who stated that she passed away in a hospital due to complications from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, also confirmed the news to TMZ, adding that she had been battling septic issues before her death.
Chase had a varied career, beginning in the late 1990s with roles in TV series like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and ER. She gained widespread recognition for her performances in The Ring (2002), where she played the haunting antagonist Samara Morgan, and as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2002). Her role in Lilo & Stitch earned her an Annie Award for voice acting in an animated film in 2003.
In addition to her film work, Chase voiced Chihiro in the American dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) and appeared in Donnie Darko (2001) as Samantha, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character. She reprised the role in the sequel S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale (2009).
Before her death, Chase faced significant personal struggles, including homelessness and drug addiction. Reports indicated she had been living in destitute conditions on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover her medical expenses, stating that she had been diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. However, her former manager, John Ryan Jr., disputed the campaign’s legitimacy, claiming Chase’s estate had sufficient means and that Hernandez had not informed her family of her condition until after her death.
Chase’s death has sparked discussions about the challenges faced by former child actors, as well as the broader issues of homelessness and addiction in Los Angeles.