What Happened to Daveigh Chase? How The Ring Actress Died at Age 35

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In Hawaiian, ‘ohana’ means family, and for the actress Daveigh Chase, known for her role in Lilo & Stitch, that means she’ll always be loved and remembered.

Actress Daveigh Chase passed away on June 16th at the age of 35, her boyfriend Roy Hernandez confirmed to TMZ. Chase was known for her voice work as Lilo in Disney’s 2002 film Lilo & Stitch, and for her chilling role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror movie The Ring.

Hernandez reported that Chase was hospitalized in Los Angeles in early June because of poor nutrition. A GoFundMe page Chase created before her death stated she had been diagnosed with meningitis and severe blood infections.

He wanted to be there for her, especially because she’d always dreamed of a home they could share—a safe and happy place. He said he desperately wanted to make that dream come true for her now, offering comfort and peace during her final days.

As he and Chase’s loved ones mourn her loss, look back on her all-too-brief life. 

Who Was Daveigh Chase?

Most people recognize the Hawaiian word ‘ohana’ as meaning family thanks to Chase’s performance as Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated movie, Lilo & Stitch. Just four months later, she took a dramatically different role, becoming instantly famous – and terrifying many viewers – as the villain Samara Morgan in The Ring.

Sadly, off-screen, her life was nearly as traumatic as her fame-making role. 

Before she died on June 16th, Daveigh had overcome significant challenges, as shared by her boyfriend Hernandez in a GoFundMe campaign. She experienced hardship from a young age, including a difficult childhood and strained family relationships. This led to bullying and difficulties finding stability and joy while living in downtown Los Angeles. She also faced a minor legal issue in 2018 – an arrest for possession of a controlled substance – but was released on bail within two hours.

That changed when she crossed paths with Hernandez. 

I told her when we first got together that I would always look after her and make sure she felt loved and safe,” he said. They both dreamed of saving up enough money to buy a place of their own. “We had some really good times, moments where we were genuinely happy and hopeful.”

What Are Daveigh Chase’s Most Memorable Roles?

People who have seen The Ring likely remember Chase’s chilling acting in the suspenseful movie, a role that won her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.

Even while still a young teenager, Chase quickly found success. She starred as Lilo and provided the character’s voice, plus she had a recurring role as Rhonda Volmer in 32 episodes of HBO’s Big Love. She also appeared on shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, and Mercy, and acted in films including Spirited Away, Donnie Darko, and Beethoven’s 5th.

I’ve always admired her choices – she once told TMZ that she really prefers independent films, and it shows! She’s been involved with some amazing ones over the years. I especially remember enjoying Yellow back in 2012, then Transference in 2014, and Wild in Blue just a year later in 2015. It’s clear she has a passion for that kind of filmmaking.

How Did Daveigh Chase Die?

Chase was hospitalized in Los Angeles in early June due to extreme weight loss. Her boyfriend shared on a GoFundMe page that she was diagnosed with meningitis and severe blood infections, and doctors fear her condition is life-threatening.

Her health issues led to sepsis, he continued, eventually causing her body to shut down. 

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2026-06-17 23:19