Two weeks after the entertainment world learned of Daveigh Chase's passing, officials have now confirmed the exact cause of the actress's death, best known for originating the voice of Lilo in Disney's Lilo and Stitch.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, Chase's official cause of death has been listed as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, with chronic polysubstance use noted as an additional significant contributing condition. The manner of her death has been ruled natural. Chase, who was 35 at the time of her passing on June 16, had been hospitalized earlier that month due to malnutrition.
Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed her death publicly at the time, telling TMZ that she had passed away from meningitis and a blood infection. Those details align closely with the broader medical findings now confirmed through the official report.
A Career Built Around an Iconic Role in Lilo and Stitch
Chase auditioned for the role of Lilo Pelekai when she was just eight years old, eventually landing the part that would define a significant portion of her career. She voiced Lilo in Disney's original 2002 animated film, and continued playing the character across multiple sequels, an animated television series, and several video games over the following years.
Outside of Lilo and Stitch, Chase built a substantial career across both live-action and voice acting. She is widely remembered for playing Samara Morgan in the American remake of The Ring and its sequel, a role frequently credited with helping turn the franchise into one of the most successful horror properties of the early 2000s. She also lent her voice to Chihiro in the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, a performance many fans continue to highlight as one of her most beloved roles. Her additional credits included HBO's Big Love, where she played Rhonda Volmer, earning her a Young Artist Award nomination, as well as roles in Donnie Darko, Jack Goes Home, and American Romance.
The Role Lives On in Disney's Live-Action Remake
When Disney released its live-action adaptation of Lilo and Stitch in 2025, newcomer Maia Kealoha stepped into the role originally created by Chase more than two decades earlier. The casting introduced a new generation of fans to the character, even as longtime fans continue to closely associate the role with Chase's original performance.
Tension Surrounding Funeral Arrangements
In the days following Chase's death, questions emerged regarding how her funeral and memorial costs are being handled. A GoFundMe page was launched by Hernandez shortly before her passing, in which he described seeking comfort and peace for Chase and referenced the difficulties she had faced throughout her life.
However, Chase's former manager, John Ryan, has since stated publicly that the GoFundMe is not being used toward any funeral-related expenses. According to Ryan, Chase's family is independently covering all funeral and cremation costs. Ryan also noted that Chase's father, John Schwallier, has not signed over any paperwork to Hernandez regarding those arrangements, pointing to an apparent disagreement between Hernandez and Chase's family over the handling of her affairs.
A Career Remembered
Born in Las Vegas in 1990, Chase began formal vocal and dance training at a young age, laying the foundation for a career defined by some of the most recognizable performances of the early 2000s. In the wake of her passing, fans across social media have continued sharing memories of her work, particularly her performance as Lilo, her role in Spirited Away, and her breakout turn in The Ring, ensuring her legacy remains closely tied to the characters she helped bring to life.
