The probate of the estate of late actress Daveigh Chase, known for her role in "The Ring," has escalated into a contentious legal battle involving her estranged parents and her former manager, John Ryan. The dispute centers on the control of Chase's assets, reportedly valued at approximately $400,000.
Chase died in June at age 35. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined her cause of death to be a combination of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and polysubstance use disorder. In the months leading up to her death, Chase had been struggling with addiction and was reportedly homeless, staying in an RV in Los Angeles' Skid Row neighborhood.
Competing Claims to the Estate
At a recent hearing in a Downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Chase's mother, Cathy Chase, and her estranged father, John Schwallier, presented competing petitions to oversee their daughter's estate. Court documents reveal that Cathy Chase valued the estate at around $400,000, which may include uncollected residual payments from her acting work.
Initially, John Schwallier expressed a preference for a court-appointed fiduciary, Megan Boling, to manage the estate's affairs. He filed paperwork supporting Boling's appointment. However, in a turn of events, John Ryan, Chase's former manager, also submitted paperwork through his attorney, indicating support for Boling as administrator.
Ryan had previously publicly criticized Chase's boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who set up a GoFundMe for the actress, labeling it "fake" and warning against donations. Ryan stated that any funds raised were not for Chase's expenses and alleged that Hernandez had not informed the family of Chase's critical condition. Ryan asserted that Chase's "actual family" was handling all arrangements and had contacted GoFundMe to report the page.
Legal Arguments and Next Steps
Attorneys for the parties expressed concerns about the potential length and cost of the legal proceedings. Richard Pershing, representing Boling, stated that he and Cathy Chase's attorney could not reach a resolution. Cliff Melnick, representing Cathy Chase, voiced worries about the process becoming a "fishing expedition" and asserted his client's priority in claiming the estate.
John Schwallier articulated his frustration with his ex-wife's alleged "ill representation" and reiterated his desire for a neutral, court-appointed fiduciary. He informed the judge that he also planned to file his own competing petition if a court-appointed fiduciary was not approved that day.
The judge has directed Schwallier to file his petition by January 8, and the hearing has been continued to February 10, 2027.
Cathy Chase shared the profound devastation she experienced upon learning of her daughter's death through online news alerts, describing an overwhelming sense of grief. She also recounted a prayer she shared with her daughter at a Los Angeles hospital after identifying her body.
Daveigh Chase began her acting career as a child and gained international recognition for her role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film "The Ring." Her other notable works include "Lilo & Stitch" (2002), "Donnie Darko" (2001), and the series "Oliver Beene" (2003).