Who was Daveigh Chase? Revisiting the 'Lilo & Stitch' star’s career after her death at 35

Daveigh Chase, the former child star who captivated audiences as the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and terrified moviegoers as Samara Morgan in The Ring, has died at the age of 35.

According to reports, Chase died on June 16, 2026, after complications from meningitis and a blood infection that led to sepsis. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the news, revealing that the actress had been hospitalised earlier in the month due to malnutrition.

Born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase began her career in commercials before making guest appearances on television series including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, Charmed and The Practice. Her breakthrough year came in 2002, when she landed two roles that would define her career.

That year, she voiced the spirited young Hawaiian girl in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, earning widespread acclaim and an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting. She would reprise the role in sequels and the television series that followed, becoming closely associated with one of Disney's most beloved animated characters.

Also in 2002, Chase delivered one of horror cinema's most unforgettable performances as Samara Morgan in The Ring. Her portrayal of the eerie child at the centre of the supernatural thriller earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and cemented her place in pop culture history.

Beyond those iconic roles, Chase voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away and appeared as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko. She later enjoyed a recurring role as Rhonda Volmer in HBO's acclaimed drama Big Love, appearing throughout the series' five-season run.

Her later acting credits included S. Darko, Yellow and American Romance, which marked her final screen appearance in 2016. After stepping away from the spotlight, Chase largely disappeared from public life and stopped posting on social media in 2017.

In recent years, she reportedly faced a series of personal struggles away from Hollywood. Before her death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign and spoke of the hardships she had endured, including estrangement from family and ongoing difficulties finding stability. Some aspects of those claims have since been questioned by members of her inner circle.

Though her life ended tragically, Chase leaves behind a legacy built on performances that resonated with audiences across generations. Whether as the mischievous voice of Lilo or the haunting face of Samara, her work remains a memorable part of film and television history.