Child star Daveigh Chase of 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch' dies at 35 in Los Angeles
Daveigh Chase, the former child actor famous for playing Samara in *The Ring* and voicing Lilo in *Lilo & Stitch*, died at age 35 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed AIDS as the cause of death, with chronic polysubstance use as a contributing factor. Previously reported causes included bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Chase had been homeless, suffering from severe malnutrition, and struggled with addiction before retiring from acting over a decade ago.
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Daveigh Chase, Child Star of 'The Ring', Dies at 35 from AIDS and Substance Abuse
Daveigh Chase, the American child actress best known for her role as Samara in the horror film 'The Ring' (2002) and as the voice of Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch', died at age 35 in a Los Angeles hospital on June 16, 2026. According to court documents released by the Los Angeles County coroner, her death was caused by AIDS, with chronic polysubstance abuse listed as a contributing condition. Her father, John David Schwallier, initially told the New York Times she died from bacterial meningitis and sepsis, but later confirmed the AIDS diagnosis, stating he was 'not surprised' given her lifestyle. Chase had struggled with drug problems since age 13 and had been living homeless with her boyfriend in Los Angeles before her death. The actress also voiced a lead role in the English version of 'Spirited Away' and appeared in 'Donnie Darko' and 'Oliver Beene'.
Nachrichten - WELTDaveigh Chase's Cause of Death Confirmed as AIDS by Medical Examiner
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed that former child actor Daveigh Chase died as a result of AIDS. The 35-year-old actress, known for voicing Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara in The Ring, also had 'chronic polysubstance use' listed as a significant contributing condition. Previously, it had been reported she died from complications of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Chase's father revealed she had been homeless and living near the hospital where she was admitted, also suffering from severe malnutrition. Chase retired from acting over a decade ago, with her final roles in indie horror Jack Goes Home and thriller American Romance. Her manager remembered her as 'the greatest' and 'not very Hollywood,' preferring simple pleasures over fame.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Daveigh Chase Cause of Death Confirmed as AIDS by Medical Examiner
Former child actor Daveigh Chase, known for roles in The Ring and Lilo & Stitch, died at age 35 from AIDS complications, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The coroner also cited chronic polysubstance use as a significant contributing condition. Her father reported that Chase, who retired from acting a decade ago, had been homeless and suffering from severe malnutrition prior to her hospital admission. Previous reports had incorrectly attributed her death to bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Chase's career included voice work in Spirited Away, on-screen roles in Donnie Darko, Big Love, and the Ring sequels, before stepping back from acting.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Daveigh Chase, 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch' Star, Dies at 35
Former child actor Daveigh Chase has died at age 35 from complications of bacterial meningitis and sepsis, according to NBC News and her family. Known for her roles as Samara Morgan in the horror film 'The Ring' and the voice of Lilo in Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch', Chase also appeared in 'Donnie Darko', 'Big Love', and provided the English voice for Chihiro in 'Spirited Away'. Her father revealed that Chase had been homeless and suffering from severe malnutrition when she was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital. She retired from acting over a decade ago, with her last roles in indie films 'Jack Goes Home' and 'American Romance'. Her manager remembered her as 'the greatest', noting she was 'not very Hollywood'.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Daveigh Chase, Star of The Ring and Voice of Lilo & Stitch, Dies at 35
Daveigh Chase, the former child actor best known for playing Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring and voicing Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, has died at age 35. According to NBC News, she died from complications of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Her father told the outlet that Chase had been homeless and living near the hospital in Los Angeles where she died, and was suffering from severe malnutrition when admitted. Chase retired from acting just over a decade ago. Her career included roles in Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Charmed, ER, Donnie Darko, and its spin-off S Darko. She also voiced Chihiro in the English dub of Spirited Away and played Rhonda Volmer in Big Love. Her manager remembered her as 'the greatest' and said she 'loved acting but wasn't into the fame scene.'
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Daveigh Chase, 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch' Star, Dies at 35
Daveigh Chase, the American actress who rose to global fame at age 12 for her role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film 'The Ring' and later voiced Lilo in Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch,' has died at age 35. According to US media reports, Chase died on June 16, 2026, from the effects of meningitis compounded by sepsis. In recent years, she experienced severe physical and mental decline, reportedly living homeless on Skid Row in Los Angeles and struggling with addiction to heroin and fentanyl. Her former manager, John Ryan, had been documenting her life for a planned documentary titled 'Finding Lilo.' Chase had not acted in film or television for about a decade, with her last leading roles in 2016. She had multiple arrests for offenses including stolen car joyrides and drug possession, and was estranged from her family. A GoFundMe campaign for her funeral has prompted a warning from her ex-manager.
Nachrichten - WELTDaveigh Chase, 'The Ring' And 'Lilo & Stitch' Star, Dies At 35
Daveigh Chase, the actress known for voicing Lilo in the animated film 'Lilo & Stitch' and playing the evil spirit Samara in the American horror film 'The Ring,' has died at age 35. According to her boyfriend Roy Hernandez, Chase suffered from meningitis which led to sepsis. TMZ reported that she was hospitalized in Los Angeles in early June due to malnutrition. The news was published by Forbes on June 17, 2026, and is described as a developing story.
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