Spencer Pratt, a candidate in the recent Los Angeles mayoral race, has claimed that actress Daveigh Chase died because no one was willing to force her into rehabilitation. Chase, known for her roles in "The Ring" and "Lilo & Stitch," passed away at age 35. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office listed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as her primary cause of death. Chronic polysubstance use was also identified as a significant contributing factor, and the manner of death was ruled natural.
Pratt shared his assertion on the social platform X, linking to a California Post article that described Chase's struggles. He stated, "This poor beautiful girl is dead because nobody was willing to drag her to rehab against her will."
Chase's boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed her death earlier this month, recounting a difficult health battle that included meningitis, a blood infection, and sepsis. Chase was hospitalized in early June, and Hernandez had initiated GoFundMe campaigns to fund her care.
Chase gained recognition as a child star for her role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 film "The Ring." Her other notable appearances include "Lilo & Stitch," "Donnie Darko," and television series such as "ER" and "Big Love." She began to withdraw from public life after 2013, with her last social media activity in 2017 and a final red carpet appearance in April 2013. Reports indicate she had several legal issues in subsequent years, including an arrest in 2017 for joyriding in a stolen vehicle.
Hernandez has spoken of a strained relationship between Chase and her family and their struggles with homelessness. In a fundraiser, he described Chase as "a light in my life" but noted she had faced significant hardship.
Pratt's comments come weeks after his unsuccessful bid for mayor of Los Angeles. The reality television personality entered the race after losing his home in wildfires, campaigning on a platform to address the city's homelessness crisis. While he garnered celebrity support during his campaign, he ultimately did not advance to the runoff election.