Actress Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch” and starred in “The Ring,” died of AIDS, Los Angeles authorities said about two weeks after her death at age 35. They said a secondary cause of death was “chronic use of multiple drugs.”
Her father, John David Schwallier, told The New York Times that his daughter had been homeless and had struggled with drug addiction since age 13. He said he had not been in contact with her for many years.
The report comes despite the fact that before her death, her partner wrote on a GoFundMe page that she was battling meningitis and “severe blood infections.” TMZ also reported at the time that before her health deteriorated, Chase was hospitalized in early June because of malnutrition.
On the same page, which was launched while Chase was still receiving medical treatment, her partner wrote that her condition had deteriorated rapidly and that doctors believed she did not have much time left to live.
Her partner wrote that Chase’s condition had become critical and that doctors had told him she might not have much time left. He said all she wanted was a place where they could live together, feel safe and be happy, and that he hoped to give her a sense of home and peace in her final days.
Chase, who was born in 1990, began her career as a child actor with voice roles in films including “Spirited Away” and “Lilo & Stitch,” in which she voiced Lilo. She also appeared in blockbusters that became cult films, including “Donnie Darko,” playing the younger sister of the title character in the 2001 cult film, and portraying Samara Morgan, the terrifying girl in “The Ring.” For that role, she won an MTV Movie Award for best villain.
Daveigh Chase as Samara Morgan
(Screenshot from 'The Ring')
Alongside her film appearances, Chase also had guest roles in series including “Charmed,” “The Practice” and “ER.” Her final screen role was in the 2016 thriller “American Romance,” after which she retired from acting following a series of personal and legal problems.