Daveigh Chase, the former child actor known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara in The Ring, died this week at age 35. According to her partner, Roy Hernandez, Chase died on 16 June following a hospitalization for severe malnutrition, meningitis, and a blood infection. Her mother, Cathy, confirmed the death followed years of struggle with homelessness and substance abuse.
How did a former child star end up on the streets?
The decline of Chase’s personal life was marked by a shift away from the entertainment industry following a 2016 motorcycle accident. According to her mother, Cathy, that injury led to an addiction to painkillers, which eventually escalated to other illicit substances. Cathy noted that her daughter’s behavior changed drastically during a period of incarceration in Los Angeles, where she was held on burglary charges. “She was completely gone, like, out of her mind,” Cathy told The Daily Mail. Despite attempts by family and management to facilitate rehabilitation, Chase frequently returned to homelessness, eventually becoming a fixture in Los Angeles encampments, including Skid Row.
Before her death, Chase had not appeared in a professional acting role since 2016. Her filmography includes cult classics like Donnie Darko and television series such as Big Love and Charmed.
Why were intervention attempts unsuccessful?
Industry professionals and family members cite a combination of agency, legal limitations, and the nature of addiction as barriers to intervention. Chase’s former manager, John Ryan, stated he had not seen the actor in a decade. Ryan told reporters that because Chase was an adult who left facilities by her own admission, a missing persons report could not be filed. “We started putting two and two together,” Ryan said, noting that he only realized the severity of her situation after seeing viral footage of her on Skid Row in 2025. This contrasts with the public perception of child stars, as Ryan noted that he and other associates were not initially aware of the depth of her dependency.
What were the medical causes of death?
The immediate cause of death was attributed to acute medical complications rather than just substance exposure. Roy Hernandez, who announced the news via TMZ, reported that doctors identified meningitis and a blood infection in the days leading to her death. These conditions, compounded by severe malnutrition, triggered the septic issues that proved fatal. Cathy Chase emphasized that her daughter’s final years were defined by physical frailty, noting that a video she viewed in 2025 showed her daughter in a state of extreme emaciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What roles was Daveigh Chase best known for? She was the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch (2002) and played Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring (2002).
- How long had Daveigh Chase been homeless? Reports indicate she struggled with homelessness for several years following a 2016 motorcycle accident and subsequent legal issues.
- What was the official cause of death? According to her partner, she died from complications related to meningitis, a blood infection, and severe malnutrition.
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