Daveigh Chase, the former child actor best known for starring in the horror film The Ring and originating the voice of Lilo Pelekai in the 2002 animated movie Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35.
The actor’s death was announced by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who told TMZ that she died Tuesday from meningitis and an infection in her blood, which caused her to have septic issues and led to her body shutting down.
Her death comes days after Hernandez had launched a GoFundMe to raise money for her treatment. “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,” the page read.
Born July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase was raised in Albany, Oregon. She first began acting at seven, landing roles in commercials and on stage. She was eight when she made her on-screen debut in a 1998 episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
She later went on to star in single episodes of Charmed, The Practice and ER, before appearing in 2001’s Jake Gyllenhaal-led Donnie Darko. The following year, she voiced Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated family movie, Lilo & Stitch, as well as its subsequent spin-off films and Walt Disney’s two-season TV adaptation, Lilo & Stitch: The Series.
That same year, she played the evil Samara Morgan in Gore Verbinski’s critically acclaimed horror flick The Ring (2002), alongside Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson.
Her terrifying performance earned her an MTV Award for Best Villain in 2003. During the ceremony, she was presented the trophy by Ashton Kutcher and now-disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. In resurfaced backstage footage, Combs approaches the young Chase, asking if she’s “coming to the after party,” letting out an exaggerated laugh.
Chase’s final acting credit was 2016’s thriller American Romance. She eventually stepped away from acting following a string of personal and legal issues.
In 2018, Chase was arrested and charged with drug possession. She spent two hours behind bars before she was released on a $1,000 bond.
The year prior, she was arrested after being pulled over in a car that had been reported stolen.
“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life,” Hernandez wrote on the GoFundMe fundraiser.
“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.”
