Daveigh Chase, the versatile child actress whose innocent charm captivated audiences as Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and whose eerie performance terrified them as Samara in The Ring, has passed away at the age of 35.
According to reports, Chase died on June 16, 2026, in Los Angeles from complications of meningitis compounded by a blood infection, which led to septic shock and organ failure. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the details to TMZ.
Born Daveigh Elizabeth Chase-Schwallier on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase began her career in minor television roles before breaking through with notable voice and on-screen performances in the early 2000s. She lent her voice to the spirited title character in Disney’s 2002 animated hit Lilo & Stitch, a role that endeared her to generations of young viewers and became a cornerstone of the franchise. That same year, she delivered a haunting portrayal as the vengeful Samara Morgan in Gore Verbinski’s American remake of The Ring, earning an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for her unsettling performance that helped redefine modern horror.
Chase’s talents extended beyond animation and horror. She voiced Chihiro in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away and appeared as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko (2001) and its sequel. On television, she earned acclaim for her role in HBO’s acclaimed drama series Big Love, showcasing a depth that belied her young age.
While her early career shone brightly, Chase stepped back from acting in later years, with credits largely spanning 1998 to 2016. She faced personal challenges in the public eye, including legal troubles in the late 2010s, yet remained a figure remembered fondly for her range—from heartwarming innocence to bone-chilling intensity.
