Daveigh Chase, the young actress who lent her voice to Lilo in the beloved 2002 Disney movie Lilo & Stitch, has died. She was 35 years old.
TMZ reports that Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, informed the outlet of her passing. According to him, Chase passed away on Tuesday, June 16th, after developing meningitis and a blood infection. This resulted in septic issues, and “led to her body shutting down.”
A GoFundMe page started by Hernandez before Chase passed away reads, “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left.”
TMZ claims to have been told that Chase was hospitalized earlier this month due to “malnutrition.”
Outlets such as USA Today and The Hollywood Reporter have reached out to Chase’s representative for comment. But as of press time, they have not received a response.
Who Was Daveigh Chase? What Roles Was She Known For?
Daveigh Chase, who was born in 1990, began acting in 1998, when she appeared as an unnamed girl in an episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Additional single-episode roles followed in series such as Charmed, ER, and Touched by an Angel.
One of her first major roles came in 2001, when she played Samantha Darko in the 2001 film Donnie Darko. Also in 2001, Chase provided the voice of Chihiro in the English dub of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
The following year (2002), Chase voiced the feisty and lovable Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. She reprised her role as Lilo in two of the film’s sequels (Stitch! The Movie and Leroy & Stitch) and in the spin-off TV show, which ran from 2003 to 2006.
2002 was a big year for Chase, as she appeared in another one of her most recognizable roles that year. She portrayed Samara Morgan in the terrifying supernatural horror film, The Ring.
The movie debuted when Chase was only 12 years old.
Chase remained busy after working on The Ring and Lilo & Stitch. She appeared in more films, including Beethoven’s 5th and S. Darko, and also continued acting on TV in series such as Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures, Big Love, and Oliver Beene.
Chase’s last on-screen role was in 2016, when she played Krissy Madison in the thriller film American Romance.
This is a developing story…our thoughts and prayers go out to Daveigh Chase’s loved ones during this difficult time.
