John Schwallier, the father of late actress Daveigh Chase, shared a poignant tribute on what would have been her 36th birthday. Chase, known for her roles in "The Ring" and as the voice of Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," died on June 16 at the age of 35.
"Every day I am thinking about her constantly," Schwallier told the Daily Mail. "She was taken from this life way too early. I just want to wish her a happy birthday today and [tell her] that she is on my mind every day."
Schwallier also claimed that the only photographs he possesses of his daughter are those he has found online, stating that her mother kept him "away from her." Court documents concerning Chase's estate reportedly state her mother, Cathy, believes Schwallier resides in the Philippines with an unknown address but also maintains properties in Las Vegas.
Chase's death was attributed to meningitis and several serious blood infections that led to septic shock, according to earlier reports. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office later listed the cause of death as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and polysubstance use disorder.
"It doesn't surprise me," Schwallier had previously said of the autopsy report. "It's something you sometimes have to expect with the lifestyle she was living."
He also mentioned that he had not seen Daveigh in person since she was approximately six years old, though they spoke by phone as she grew up. "I had an empty feeling inside for not being with her for all these years," he stated.
Chase's remains were cremated and given to her mother, Cathy, with her final resting place in Chatsworth, California. Reports indicate Chase spent her final years on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, struggling with drug addiction. Her manager of over a decade, John Ryan, and her stepsister, Gaia Brown, had reportedly been working with a private investigator for a year to locate her and offer assistance. Ryan was informed of a video late last year that allegedly showed a severely emaciated Chase struggling on Skid Row.