Former Child Star Daveigh Chase Died From AIDS, Medical Examiner Confirms

BY MIRABEL ODETA

Former child actress Daveigh Chase, best known for lending her voice to Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying the haunting Samara in the horror film The Ring, died on June 16 at the age of 35. Newly released records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner have confirmed that the official cause of her death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

According to the medical examiner’s report, Chase, whose surname was listed as Schwallier, died as a result of complications related to AIDS. The report also identified chronic polysubstance abuse as another significant condition that contributed to her declining health.

Following her death at a Los Angeles hospital, Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, said she had been suffering from complications caused by bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. He also revealed that his daughter had been living homeless in Los Angeles with her boyfriend in the months leading up to her death.

Schwallier said Chase had struggled with substance abuse since she was just 13 years old. He explained that years of addiction had strained family relationships and that she had become estranged from both of her divorced parents. After the medical examiner released the official findings, he said he was not surprised by the determination, adding that her lifestyle had likely contributed to the outcome.

Expressing his grief, Schwallier described his daughter’s death as heartbreaking. He also said he wished more people had stepped in to help her while she was still alive rather than focusing on the circumstances surrounding her death afterward.

Chase began her acting career at a remarkably young age and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable child performers. She was only 8 years old when she auditioned for the role of Lilo in Disney’s animated classic Lilo & Stitch, a performance that earned widespread praise and introduced her voice to millions of viewers around the world.

She later gained further recognition for playing Samara Morgan, the terrifying young girl in the 2002 horror hit The Ring. Her chilling performance earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and remains one of the most memorable roles in modern horror cinema.

In addition to those career-defining performances, Chase voiced a lead character in the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away. She also appeared in the cult classic Donnie Darko in 2001 and had a recurring role in the television series Oliver Beene in 2003, showcasing her versatility as both a voice actor and on-screen performer.

Born in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon, Chase displayed an interest in performing from an early age. According to her IMDb biography, she began singing and dancing when she was just 3 years old before eventually launching a successful acting career that made her one of the most recognizable young talents of the early 2000s.

Although her later years were marked by personal struggles, addiction, and homelessness, many fans continue to remember Daveigh Chase for the unforgettable performances that defined her childhood career. Her work in animation and film has left a lasting impact on audiences, ensuring that her legacy as a gifted young actress will continue to be remembered.