Daveigh Chase, known for voicing Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and playing Samara Morgan in ‘The Ring,’ died Tuesday at 35. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, said she was hospitalized earlier this month in Los Angeles after being admitted for malnutrition, and later die
Daveigh Chase’s death arrived with a blunt finality: Tuesday, she was 35.
Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, said Chase died from meningitis and an infection in her blood. He described how the infection led to septic issues and, ultimately, her body shutting down.
In the days leading up to that toll, Hernandez said Chase had been admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles earlier this month because of malnutrition.
For many viewers, Chase’s name is tied to childhood wonder and lasting fear at the same time. She caught a major break in Hollywood by voicing Lilo in the 2002 Disney film “Lilo & Stitch” and the follow-up TV show. She also lent her voice to Chihiro Ogino in the American dub of “Spirited Away.”
Then came the performance horror fans still talk about. Chase starred as Samara Morgan, the main antagonist in the 2002 film “The Ring,” a role that earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Her career didn’t stop at one lane. Beginning in 2006, Chase earned a recurring role in the HBO series “Big Love,” which follows a fundamentalist, polygamist Mormon family. She played Rhonda Volmer in 32 episodes during the show’s five-season run.
Her credits also included “Donnie Darko,” “Beethoven’s 5th,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “ER,” “Mercy,” and more.
Chase’s life was also marked by legal run-ins over the years, something that had been covered previously.
When people last saw Chase around 2012, it was in an interview moment that focused on everyday routines—her makeup habits—alongside talk of her latest project. Her family has since started a GoFundMe.
Daveigh Chase The Ring Lilo & Stitch Samara Morgan Lilo Spirited Away Big Love Roy Hernandez meningitis blood infection malnutrition GoFundMe
Wait meningitis?? That’s so scary.
I swear this is why people should eat better?? Like they said malnutrition first and then infection, right? Poor girl. Idk why but the Ring always messed me up as a kid.
Sepsis “body shutting down” sounds like something happened from her medicine or like the hospital messed up. Not saying that for sure but it’s always some kind of infection chain. Also why was she in LA for malnutrition, like was she homeless or something??
This is heartbreaking. I keep thinking about her as Lilo, but then I remember The Ring and it’s just… ugh. GoFundMe already too like wow. I don’t even know anything about meningitis except it spreads fast so RIP. 35 is way too young.