A generation of Disney fans is saying goodbye.
For many millennials, Lilo & Stitch was unlike any other Disney movie. Released in 2002, the animated film centered on an unconventional family, a mischievous alien, and a young girl who never quite fit in.
The movie became a major success for Disney and spawned multiple sequels, a television series, merchandise lines, theme park appearances, and, more recently, a live-action remake that became one of the studio's biggest recent hits.
At the heart of it all was Lilo, voiced by child actor Daveigh Chase.
Now, fans across social media are paying tribute after learning that Chase has died at age 35.
Disney Fans Share Memories of Daveigh Chase
Across Reddit, Instagram, and other platforms, fans shared stories about growing up with Chase's work, particularly her performance as Lilo.
“I loved her performance in “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” where she managed to flesh out Lilo's dynamic with Stitch, Nani, The Experiments, and the other characters,” wrote one fan on Reddit. “The ending to the ‘Angel' episode where Lilo realized that Stitch's love towards Angel was genuine causing Angel to have a change of heart was my favorite Lilo moment in the franchise.”
Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in Disneyās āLilo & Stitchā and terrified audiences as Samara Morgan in āThe Ring,ā died Tuesday, according to TMZ. She was 35.
Chase won an Annie Award for voicing Lilo Pelekai in the 2002 movie and she reprised the character in āStitch! Theā¦ pic.twitter.com/8bkO6dzLVK
— Variety (@Variety) June 17, 2026
Others remembered her work beyond Disney.
“This one really hurts, Spirited Away is one of my all time favs and I grew up on Lilo and Stitch (the movie and tv series),” another fan wrote.
For some, the loss felt especially personal.
“Heartbreaking,” one wrote. “She's the same age as me and as a kid I hyper related to Lilo, having dealt with the threat of CPS hanging over my head at the same age.”
One fan reflected on the unusual connection between several of Chase's most famous roles.
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“I remember as a child being so terrified after watching the ring and the only thing that comforted me was thinking about the fact that samara was lilo and chihiro. š rest well, daveigh.”
Messages also appeared on Chase's Instagram page, which has remained inactive for years.
“Rest in peace. Huge part of my childhood. I'm so sorry,” one fan commented.
The Voice Behind Lilo
Chase was just eight years old when she auditioned for Lilo & Stitch.
She went on to voice Lilo in the original film and later returned for sequels, television episodes, and video games, helping define one of Disney's most recognizable characters of the 2000s.
Earlier this month, Chase was admitted to the hospital due to malnutrition.
On Tuesday, her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed to TMZ that she had died from meningitis and an infection in her blood.
Before her death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking support.
In a tribute posted on the page, he described Chase as āa light in my lifeā and said she had endured āmore than her share of hardships,ā especially during her upbringing.
Although Disney fans knew her best as Lilo, Chase built a successful career outside the franchise.
She played Samara Morgan in the American remake of The Ring and its sequel, helping turn the horror series into a box office phenomenon.
She also voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of Spirited Away, introducing her work to another generation of animation fans.
On television, she earned recognition for her role as Rhonda Volmer in HBO's Big Love. The performance earned praise and a nomination from the Young Artist Awards.
More recently, Disney introduced a new actor to the role of Lilo. Maia Kealoha played the character in Disney's 2025 live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch.
As tributes continue to spread online, countless viewers are revisiting the films and shows that made her such a memorable part of their childhood.
