Daveigh Chase cause of death confirmed as AIDS at age 35

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has officially confirmed that actor Daveigh Chase, known for her roles in The Ring and Lilo & Stitch, died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The records, released on Monday, 29 June 2026, further identified chronic polysubstance use as a significant condition contributing to her death. Chase was 35 years old and passed away in a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday, 16 June 2026.

A Career of Distinction

Born Daveigh Elizabeth Chase-Schwallier on 24 July 1990, in Las Vegas, Chase established a varied Hollywood career before stepping away from the spotlight. Her professional journey began as a child performer, with early credits in television series including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, and ER. She gained prominence in 2001 for her portrayal of Samantha Darko in the cult classic Donnie Darko.

Media additions

In 2002, Chase achieved widespread recognition through two contrasting performances. She provided the voice for Lilo Pelekai in the Walt Disney Animation Studios feature Lilo & Stitch, a performance that earned her an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting. That same year, she appeared as the malevolent Samara Morgan in the supernatural horror film The Ring. Her turn as the haunting figure won her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003. Additionally, she lent her voice to the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away and spent several years portraying Rhonda Volmer on the HBO drama Big Love.

Final Years and Health Struggles

Following her final onscreen appearance in the 2016 film American Romance, Chase largely withdrew from public life. Her later years were marked by personal instability, including periods of homelessness in downtown Los Angeles. According to her mother, Cathy, Chase struggled with substance abuse issues after being prescribed pain medication following a motorcycle accident. Her father, John Schwallier, reported that she had struggled with addiction since the age of 13 and was estranged from her parents.

In the weeks preceding her death, Chase was admitted to the Los Angeles General Medical Center while suffering from severe malnutrition. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, publicly stated that she had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and systemic blood infections that led to sepsis. Following her death, a dispute arose over a GoFundMe campaign established by Hernandez. Her former manager, John Ryan, and her father publicly questioned the legitimacy of the fundraiser.

Discrepancies in Reporting

Initial accounts of Chase's death varied based on the information provided by those closest to her during her final days. While Hernandez cited meningitis and sepsis as the primary cause to news outlets including AP News and NBC News, the subsequent official determination by the medical examiner provided a more comprehensive picture of the underlying health factors.

Career and Life Timeline

• 1990: Born in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• 1998: Began professional acting career following a family move to Los Angeles.
• 2001: Appeared in Donnie Darko and voiced Chihiro in Spirited Away.
• 2002: Voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and played Samara in The Ring.
• 2006–2011: Appeared as Rhonda Volmer on HBO's Big Love.
• 2017–2018: Experienced multiple legal run-ins related to drug possession and stolen vehicle charges.
• 2026: Died 16 June at Los Angeles General Medical Center.