According to reports, Chase's boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, revealed that the former child actor had recently been diagnosed with meningitis along with a serious bloodstream infection. The health complications reportedly required immediate medical attention and raised concerns among family, friends, and fans.
Former child star Daveigh Chase, best known for lending her voice to Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying Samara in The Ring, has reportedly passed away at the age of 35.
In a statement to Yahoo, Chase’s representative, John Ryan Jr., described her as a kind-hearted person whose loss has deeply affected those who knew her. He also revealed that they had been working on a documentary about her life and career before her untimely passing.
According to media reports, Chase died on Tuesday following serious health complications. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, stated that she had been battling meningitis and a severe bloodstream infection, which reportedly progressed to septic shock. He also shared that she had been hospitalized earlier in June due to malnutrition-related health concerns.
(Kevin Winter/ImageDirect via Getty Images)
Remembering Daveigh Chase, her longtime representative John Ryan Jr. described her as a private and down-to-earth person who preferred a quiet life away from the spotlight. He shared that she had a deep love for cats and actively supported animal rescue efforts. According to Ryan, despite her success in Hollywood, Chase was never drawn to celebrity culture and preferred spending time at home with her pets.
Chase began her acting journey at a young age, making one of her earliest television appearances in Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 1998. She later appeared in several popular TV series, including CSI, Cold Case, and Without a Trace. In 2008, she voiced the lead character, Betsy, in the preschool animated series Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures.
One of her most notable television roles was Rhonda Volmer, a young bride in the drama series Big Love, where she appeared throughout the show's run from 2006 to 2011.
Beyond television, Chase earned recognition for several memorable film performances. She portrayed Samantha Darko, the younger sister of the main character, in the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001), starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Years later, she returned to the role in S. Darko (2009), the film's sequel.
In 2002, Daveigh Chase gained widespread recognition for her chilling performance as Samara Morgan in the supernatural horror film The Ring, a role that became one of the most memorable characters in modern horror cinema.
The same year, she showcased her versatility by voicing Chihiro Ogino in the English-language version of the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away, directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The movie went on to receive international praise and remains one of the most celebrated animated films of all time.
Chase also provided the voice of Lilo in Disney's beloved animated feature Lilo & Stitch. Her heartfelt performance as the young Hawaiian girl resonated with audiences worldwide and earned her the Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature the following year, further establishing her as one of Hollywood's most talented young voice actors.
(Dreamworks/Everett Collection)
In a 2009 interview, Daveigh Chase spoke about her passion for meaningful storytelling, expressing her desire to be part of projects that leave a lasting impact on audiences rather than being quickly forgotten. Her comments reflected a commitment to quality work and a genuine love for the craft of acting.
Later in her career, Chase continued to explore diverse roles in independent films. In 2016, she starred alongside Rory Culkin and Nikki Reed in the psychological horror film Jack Goes Home, earning praise for her performance. The same year, she appeared in the thriller American Romance, which would become her final on-screen acting credit.
Although her time in the entertainment industry was relatively brief, Chase built a memorable body of work spanning animation, television, and film, leaving a lasting impression on audiences around the world.
In the later years of her life, Daveigh Chase faced several personal and legal challenges that attracted media attention. In 2018, reports indicated that she was arrested in Los Angeles on a misdemeanor drug possession charge. A year earlier, she had also been involved in a separate incident related to a stolen vehicle investigation.
Despite these difficulties, those close to Chase remained concerned about her well-being. According to statements from her longtime representative, John Ryan Jr., efforts had recently been made to locate her after communication with her had been lost. Ryan revealed that he and a family member had enlisted the help of a private investigator and believed they were close to reconnecting with her.
Reflecting on her passing, Ryan expressed deep sadness and emphasized that Chase's contributions to film and television would continue to be remembered by fans for years to come. He noted that her performances and creative legacy would endure long after her death, ensuring her place in entertainment history.
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