'Lilo & Stitch' directors pay tribute to Daveigh Chase following her death at 35

Lilo & Stitch directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois have paid tribute to actress Daveigh Chase following her death at the age of 35.

The filmmakers shared an illustration on Instagram featuring Lilo and Stitch in an emotional scene inspired by the 2002 animated film.

The artwork showed Stitch wiping away a tear beside Lilo’s doll, Scrump. The post was shared without a caption and appeared to be their first public comment on Chase’s death.

“That was a very, very difficult voice to cast… And one day this girl came in, and her name was Daveigh Chase,” Sanders said. “She sat at the microphone, and she started doing her thing. Dean and I looked at each other, and we knew we had found her.”

According to reports material, Chase died on June 16 after reportedly battling addiction and homelessness.

Her manager, John Ryan, reflected on her legacy following her passing.

“We were so close to finding her,” Ryan said. “Daveigh was the sweetest and brightest light in Hollywood. I can't believe this is real. Her legacy and work will live on forever.”

In addition to Lilo & Stitch, Chase was known for playing Samara Morgan in The Ring and appearing in the HBO series Big Love.