Former child star Daveigh Chase, known for haunting audiences as Samara Morgan in “The Ring” and winning hearts as the voice of Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch,” died at age 35, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
The newly released report listed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by HIV, as the cause of death. The report also listed chronic polysubstance use as a significant contributing condition.
Chase died at a Los Angeles hospital on June 16, and the medical examiner classified her death as natural.
Her passing marks the end of a complicated journey for an actress who became famous at a young age before facing serious personal struggles away from the spotlight.
The medical examiner’s report revealed that Daveigh Chase died from AIDS, with chronic polysubstance use listed as another significant condition.
The report described polysubstance use as the use of more than one substance during the same period or within a short timeframe.
Before the official cause of death was released, Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, told The New York Times that his daughter died after complications from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection.
He also shared that Chase had struggled with drug addiction and had experienced homelessness before her death.
News of Chase’s passing was first reported by TMZ on June 17. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told the outlet at the time that she died after developing meningitis and what he described as several serious blood infections.
Hernandez had also created a GoFundMe fundraiser while Chase was receiving medical treatment, writing that her condition had become critical and that doctors warned she had limited time.
Following Chase’s death, former manager and longtime friend John Ryan spoke out about the fundraiser. In a statement to Deadline Hollywood, Ryan urged people not to donate, claiming the fundraiser was not needed for Chase’s expenses and raising concerns about who controlled the information surrounding her final days.
Ryan said Chase’s father and longtime friends had not authorized the fundraiser and questioned the circumstances around it. Those claims were his statements and were not independently confirmed in the provided information.
Daveigh Chase began acting as a child in the late 1990s, appearing in television shows including “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Charmed,” and “ER.”
Her breakout years came in the early 2000s when she appeared in several major projects.
In 2001, Chase played Samantha, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character in the cult classic “Donnie Darko.”
That same year, she voiced Lilo in Disney’s animated film “Lilo & Stitch” and portrayed the terrifying ghost girl Samara Morgan in the horror hit “The Ring.”
Her performance as Samara became one of the most recognizable horror roles of the era. Chase later explained to The Times that she used her own voice and added a darker twist to create the unsettling character.
The role earned her the Best Villain award at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.
Chase’s story highlights the difficult realities some child performers face after experiencing early fame.
As a young actress, she became part of some of the most memorable films of the early 2000s. Her voice performance as Lilo became beloved by generations of fans, while her role as Samara remained a defining moment in modern horror.
However, after stepping away from the entertainment industry, Chase’s later years were marked by personal challenges, including reported struggles with addiction and homelessness.
Her death has renewed conversations about support systems, mental health, and the pressures faced by former child stars after leaving the spotlight.
Public reaction following Chase’s death has centered around remembering her most iconic roles and reflecting on her early success in Hollywood.
Specific social media reactions, viral posts, or engagement numbers were not provided in the available information.
Many discussions have focused on her impact as a young performer and the contrast between her childhood fame and later struggles.
Chase’s former friend Shawn Rosenthal described her as talented and remembered her passion for music.
Speaking about their friendship from 2018 to 2023, Rosenthal said Chase was an “incredible singer” and recalled making music together that was never recorded.
He also said some of her friends tried to help her during her struggles but were unable to reach her.
For fans who grew up watching “The Ring” and “Lilo & Stitch,” Chase’s death represents the loss of a performer whose work left a lasting impression despite her life away from the cameras becoming increasingly difficult.
Daveigh Chase’s legacy remains tied to two unforgettable roles that defined early 2000s pop culture. Her life story reflects both the impact of early fame and the challenges she faced beyond Hollywood.
