Daveigh Chase died of AIDS at age 35, medical examiner confirms

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has officially determined that actress Daveigh Chase died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The findings, released by the examiner, provide a definitive account of the circumstances surrounding the passing of the former child star, who died in a hospital on June 16, at age 35. The medical examiner listed chronic polysubstance use—defined as the repeated, long-term consumption of multiple substances simultaneously or within a short period—as a significant contributing condition. Her death has been ruled natural.

The official confirmation follows weeks of conflicting public narratives regarding the final days of the actress, known for her roles as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in the Disney film Lilo & Stitch and as the antagonist Samara Morgan in the horror movie The Ring. Shortly after her death, a man identifying himself as her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, stated that Chase had died from complications involving meningitis and a blood infection, which led to sepsis. Hernandez had previously launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the actress, stating that he intended to provide her with a sense of home and peace in her final days and cover memorial expenses.

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The fundraising effort sparked an immediate dispute within the actress's professional and personal circle. Her former manager, John Ryan Jr., publicly questioned the legitimacy of the campaign and the identity of the organizer. Ryan asserted that neither the actress's family nor her longtime friends recognized the individual. In a statement regarding the dispute, Ryan noted:

"Daveigh’s estate has plenty of means to pay for the cremation. That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh. Myself, her father, her uncle and all of us close friends who knew her for decades are encouraging people not to donate to this page. This man making these claims brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn't let any of the family know until she passed so he can control the dialogue."

John Ryan Jr., former manager, via Fox News and Deadline

The public divide highlights the complex final years of Chase’s life. Her father, John David Schwallier, stated that his daughter had experienced homelessness and struggled with drug addiction since she was 13. Her mother, speaking to the Daily Mail, indicated that the actress had faced substance abuse challenges following a 2016 motorcycle accident that resulted in a prescription for oxycodone. Reports further indicate that in her final years, Chase had been living in the Los Angeles area.

Before her withdrawal from the entertainment industry, Chase built a substantial filmography. She achieved early prominence as the voice of Lilo in 2002, a role that earned her an Annie Award for voice acting, and as Samara Morgan in 2002's The Ring, for which she earned an MTV Movie Award for best villain. Her credits also include the cult classic Donnie Darko and the HBO series Big Love. In the years following her primary acting career, media reports documented several legal issues, including charges related to drug possession and operating a stolen vehicle.

For those struggling with substance abuse or related health crises, resources remain available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).