The former child star Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in the beloved 2002 Disney cartoon movie Lilo & Stitch, died on Tuesday. She was 35 years-old.
Chase Passes Away
Chase’s boyfriend Roy Hernandez told TMZ that the former actress, who also played Samara in the 2003 horror movie The Ring, died after she contracted meningitis and “several serious blood infections.” This led to sepsis, which caused her body to shut down, according to Hernandez. Chase was reportedly reported to a Los Angeles hospital for malnutrition earlier this month.
Born in 1990, Chase did her first commercial for Campbell’s Soup when she was only 7 years-old. Her career quickly took off from there, and she earned the coveted role of Lilo in Disney’s animated Lilo & Stitch. For her work in that movie, Chase took home an Annie Award for best voice acting in an animated feature production. She was also nominated at the Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards.
After playing Lilo, Chase switched genres entirely to appear in horror movie The Ring as Samara, perhaps even better known to audiences as the creepy little girl. For this movie, Chase was once again nominated at the Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards. On top of that, she won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Check out a portion of Chase’s acceptance speech below.
Chase will also be remembered for her roles in Donnie Darko; Big Love, recurring in 32 episodes of the HBO drama; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; ER; Mercy; and Beethoven’s 5th. Her final acting credit on IMDB is in 2016 for the video game Let It Die.
Sadly, in the decade since then, Chase has frequently found herself in trouble with the law. In the past, she’s been hit with charges like drug possession and joyriding in a stolen car. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chase was also questioned about the death of a man who was left outside a Los Angeles hospital.
Chase’s Boyfriend Pays Tribute
Before Chase passed away, Hernandez set up a GoFundMe page on her behalf.
“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away, and Donnie Darko,” Hernandez wrote. “But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship. After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”
“Recently, everything changed,” he continued. “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.”
“I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything. And if you can only give a prayer, I will take that too,” Hernandez concluded. “Thank you for considering helping us during this difficult time.”
Rest in peace, Daveigh Chase.