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Daveigh Chase, Voice of Lilo & Horror Icon Samara, Dies at 35 from Meningitis Complications
Daveigh Chase, the former child actor who brought Disney’s Lilo & Stitch to life and gave Hollywood its most chilling horror figure in The Ring, died on June 16, 2026, at the age of 35. The news came a day after her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told the press that Chase had succumbed to meningitis and a series of serious blood infections that escalated into sepsis.
The announcement broke a long spell of uncertainty. Chase had not appeared in public since 2015 and was reported missing for several years. In 2019 she briefly spent time in jail on burglary charges, the last known visit from her mother, Cathy Chase. After that, Cathy said she could not locate her daughter.
Cathy’s reaction, as reported by the Daily Mail, was one of disbelief. She described herself as “searching online forums every night, hoping for clues to where my daughter might be, while also checking the LA County Medical Examiner’s system for Daveigh’s name.” She added that she had examined the list of unidentified bodies and that the confirmation of a death notice on legitimate sites made the loss feel real.
The mother also shed light on the factors that may have contributed to Chase’s decline. She said the actress began taking prescription painkillers after a motorcycle accident in 2016 that injured her back. The medication included oxycodone, and Cathy claimed that Chase turned to drugs and “partied with the wrong people.” She emphasized that, despite her attempts to keep her daughter in the family, Daveigh “never kicked my daughter out.”
Chase’s early career earned her critical acclaim. She first captured attention as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko (2001) and its sequel S. Darko (2009). She voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English dub of Spirited Away (2001) and Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch (2002), a role that earned her an Annie Award in 2003. Her portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring (2002) earned an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain the same year.
After her child‑star years, Chase appeared in HBO’s Big Love (2006‑2011) and independent films such as Yellow (2012) and Jack Goes Home (2016). However, her career stalled after 2015, and she was reported to have lived in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area.
The cause of death was confirmed by multiple sources. The Los Angeles Times reported that Chase died of complications from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection that progressed to sepsis. A coroner’s report, still pending, is expected to provide a definitive cause.
The loss of a former child star has drawn attention to the challenges faced by actors who transition out of early fame. Chase’s mother said she felt “devastated” and “in pain,” describing an emotional release when she saw her daughter’s name in the news. She also said she was able to identify Chase’s remains at a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday morning, where she and a chaplain prayed over the body.
Cathy Chase’s comments highlight the personal toll of addiction and homelessness. She said she had never given up on her daughter and that she was upset that some people suggested she was a bad mother.
The entertainment community has noted the loss. The New York Times and USA Today both reported on the death, noting that Chase’s roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring had left a lasting impact on audiences.
At present, no official statement has been released by Chase’s representatives or the studios that produced her films. The coroner’s report is expected to be released in the coming weeks. The entertainment industry has yet to announce any memorials or tributes.
Daveigh Chase’s death underscores the fragility of health and the importance of timely medical care for conditions such as meningitis, which can rapidly progress to sepsis. It also serves as a reminder of the complex lives that many former child actors lead after their early success.
The story remains under investigation, with the coroner’s report pending and the entertainment community awaiting further details. The legacy of Daveigh Chase will continue to be remembered through her performances in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring.
The announcement broke a long spell of uncertainty. Chase had not appeared in public since 2015 and was reported missing for several years. In 2019 she briefly spent time in jail on burglary charges, the last known visit from her mother, Cathy Chase. After that, Cathy said she could not locate her daughter.
Cathy’s reaction, as reported by the Daily Mail, was one of disbelief. She described herself as “searching online forums every night, hoping for clues to where my daughter might be, while also checking the LA County Medical Examiner’s system for Daveigh’s name.” She added that she had examined the list of unidentified bodies and that the confirmation of a death notice on legitimate sites made the loss feel real.
The mother also shed light on the factors that may have contributed to Chase’s decline. She said the actress began taking prescription painkillers after a motorcycle accident in 2016 that injured her back. The medication included oxycodone, and Cathy claimed that Chase turned to drugs and “partied with the wrong people.” She emphasized that, despite her attempts to keep her daughter in the family, Daveigh “never kicked my daughter out.”
Chase’s early career earned her critical acclaim. She first captured attention as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko (2001) and its sequel S. Darko (2009). She voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English dub of Spirited Away (2001) and Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch (2002), a role that earned her an Annie Award in 2003. Her portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring (2002) earned an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain the same year.
After her child‑star years, Chase appeared in HBO’s Big Love (2006‑2011) and independent films such as Yellow (2012) and Jack Goes Home (2016). However, her career stalled after 2015, and she was reported to have lived in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area.
The cause of death was confirmed by multiple sources. The Los Angeles Times reported that Chase died of complications from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection that progressed to sepsis. A coroner’s report, still pending, is expected to provide a definitive cause.
The loss of a former child star has drawn attention to the challenges faced by actors who transition out of early fame. Chase’s mother said she felt “devastated” and “in pain,” describing an emotional release when she saw her daughter’s name in the news. She also said she was able to identify Chase’s remains at a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday morning, where she and a chaplain prayed over the body.
Cathy Chase’s comments highlight the personal toll of addiction and homelessness. She said she had never given up on her daughter and that she was upset that some people suggested she was a bad mother.
The entertainment community has noted the loss. The New York Times and USA Today both reported on the death, noting that Chase’s roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring had left a lasting impact on audiences.
At present, no official statement has been released by Chase’s representatives or the studios that produced her films. The coroner’s report is expected to be released in the coming weeks. The entertainment industry has yet to announce any memorials or tributes.
Daveigh Chase’s death underscores the fragility of health and the importance of timely medical care for conditions such as meningitis, which can rapidly progress to sepsis. It also serves as a reminder of the complex lives that many former child actors lead after their early success.
The story remains under investigation, with the coroner’s report pending and the entertainment community awaiting further details. The legacy of Daveigh Chase will continue to be remembered through her performances in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring.
