Two weeks after former child star Daveigh Chase died, her official cause of death has been confirmed by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office. The actress, known for her roles in “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Ring,” was 35.
Officials determined Chase’s primary cause of death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The report also listed chronic polysubstance use as a significant factor that contributed to her death.
The coroner declared her manner of death as natural. Although Chase passed away in a hospital, her body was not transferred to the coroner’s office, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Before the official report was released, Chase’s father, John Schwallier, told NBC News via text that his daughter “died of complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection.” He also noted she “was suffering from severe malnutrition.”
Her former manager, John Ryan Jr., later spoke out regarding confusion over a crowdfunding campaign created before reports of Chase’s death had surfaced.
According to Ryan, the fundraiser was not legitimate and was not connected to her estate or family.
“Daveigh’s estate has plenty of means to pay for the cremation,” Ryan said in a statement to Deadline. “John is next of kin and never signed any paperwork over to this so-called boyfriend.”
TMZ first reported the news of Chase’s death through her alleged boyfriend, Roy Hernandez. Ryan insisted the GoFundMe page that followed had no association with her real family or representatives.
“That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh,” Ryan told the outlet. He added that those closest to her, including her father and uncle, were encouraging fans not to donate to the page.
Ryan accused Hernandez of bringing Chase to the hospital “in terrible condition” and failing to alert the family until after her death.
“This man, making these claims, brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn’t let any of the family know until she passed, so he can control the dialogue,” Ryan said.
“Daveigh’s actual family is handling all arrangements.”
He also confirmed that her family had contacted GoFundMe to report the page and requested it be removed.
Chase’s acting [3] career began early, and she gained iconic status at just eight years old when she voiced Lilo in the beloved Disney animated film “Lilo & Stitch.”
Her performance helped make the film a critical and commercial success, leading her to reprise the role in “Lilo & Stitch: The Series,” numerous video games, and other related projects.
In 2002, Chase’s career took another turn toward horror when she starred as Samara, the unsettling antagonist in DreamWorks’ now-classic horror film “The Ring.”
Her chilling portrayal earned her recognition far beyond her Disney audience.
A year later, Chase’s work in the film earned her the Best Villain award at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. She bested industry names, including Mike Myers, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe, and Daniel Day-Lewis, to take home the honor.
Throughout her short life, Chase maintained a cult following across genres, recognized for both her sweet and terrifying on-screen personas.
Her passing has left fans and colleagues reflecting on the remarkable range she demonstrated in her work.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s findings bring official closure to the questions surrounding the circumstances of her death, though the emotional impact continues to resonate across Hollywood and among fans who grew up with her iconic performances.
Daveigh Chase’s death on June 16 marks the untimely loss of an artist who helped shape iconic moments in both animation and horror. Her talent, versatility, and unforgettable voice remain embedded in pop culture history.