Actress Daveigh Chase, known for her roles as the voice of Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and the chilling Samara Morgan in "The Ring," died on June 16 at the age of 35. Her official cause of death was released two weeks later by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office.
The primary cause of death was listed as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Chronic polysubstance use was identified as a significant condition that contributed to her death. Her manner of death was ruled natural.
Chase's father, John Schwallier, had previously stated that his daughter died from complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection, and was suffering from severe malnutrition.
Chase gained widespread recognition at a young age for her voice work in the 2002 animated film "Lilo & Stitch." She reprised the role for "Lilo & Stitch: The Series" and various related projects. In 2002, she starred as Samara Morgan in the horror film "The Ring," a role for which she won Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards in 2003.
Reports of Chase's death were initially circulated through her alleged boyfriend, Roy Hernandez. However, her former manager, John Ryan Jr., disputed claims made on a crowdfunding page, stating that Chase's estate had sufficient funds for cremation and that her family was handling arrangements. Ryan urged the public not to donate to the crowdfunding page, alleging that Hernandez had brought Chase to the hospital in poor condition and withheld information from her family.