Daveigh Chase, the actress best known for voicing Lilo Pelekai in Disney's Lilo and Stitch and portraying Samara Morgan in The Ring, died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with other significant conditions including chronic polysubstance use, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner's records obtained by Us Weekly. She was 35.
Details of Her Death
Chase passed away on June 16 in a hospital, her boyfriend Roy Hernandez told TMZ. The manner of death was listed as natural. Hernandez had launched a GoFundMe campaign shortly before her death, revealing that Chase was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. He wrote, "Her condition has become critical and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left." He added that he wanted to give her "a sense of home and peace in her final days."
Friends told TMZ that Chase had dropped to as little as 75 pounds and that they had tried to find her to get help but were unable to track her down.
Controversy Over GoFundMe Campaign
Chase's former manager John Ryan publicly questioned the legitimacy of Hernandez, stating, "Neither her family nor her close friends know who this person is." Ryan also noted that Chase had a SAG trust account with sufficient funds to cover medical and related expenses. He urged potential donors to "think twice" until the organizer's identity and claims could be verified.
Hernandez responded to the allegations, calling them "100% false," and claimed the funds would be used for Chase's memorial. He also mentioned Chase's "difficult childhood" and "painful falling out with her family" in the campaign.
Career Highlights
Chase began her career with a role as Jake Gyllenhaal's sister in the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko. She achieved breakthrough success in 2002 with her voice role as Lilo in Disney's Lilo and Stitch and her portrayal of the eerie Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring. Her last on-screen appearances were in the 2016 films Jack Goes Home and American Romance.
