Former child star Daveigh Chase, the voice behind Disney’s beloved Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and the haunting Samara in The Ring, has died at 35.
Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the news to TMZ on June 17, 2026, revealing that the late actress had been battling meningitis and a serious blood infection prior to her death. Here’s everything to know about her death so far:
Former child star Daveigh Chase, known for her roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, has died. She was 35. Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed to TMZ on Wednesday, June 17, that she died one day prior. According to Hernandez, Chase had meningitis and an infection in her blood that causes sepsis. Chase rose […]
Daveigh Chase Hospitalized for Meningitis
Days before Chase died, Hernandez started a GoFundMe campaign in June 2026 to help cover the cost of her healthcare.
“Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left,” he wrote, confirming that Chase had meningitis and “several” blood infections. “All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.”
He added, “I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything. And if you can only give a prayer, I will take that too. Thank you for considering helping us during this difficult time.”
Daveigh Chase Died After Her Boyfriend’s GoFundMe Campaign Launched
Hernandez told TMZ that Chase died on June 16, 2026, hours after launching a GoFundMe to fund medical costs.
“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away and Donnie Darko, but behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship,” Hernandez wrote via GoFundMe. “After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown L.A. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”
Per Hernandez, Chase battled meningitis, which is an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. When paired with sepsis — a life-threatening response to infection — a patient’s condition can quickly become critical.
Daveigh Chase’s Career and Life Out of the Spotlight
Chase rose to fame in the early 2000s, voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Chihiro Ogino in Spirited Away. She also starred as the haunting Samara in The Ring and appeared in Big Love and American Romance, her final onscreen credit in 2016.
“I just want to make something that I love and people will respect,” Chase told Interview in a 2009 profile. “I want to do things that will change someone’s life, not something they’ll forget about tomorrow.”
Her last Instagram post, shared in 2017, showed her smiling with a unicorn balloon and the caption, “Unicorns DO exist 😻.”
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
