Los Angeles, California – Actress Daveigh Chase, celebrated for her memorable roles in both animated and horror genres, passed away on June 16, 2026, at the age of 35. Her father, John David Schwallier, confirmed that she succumbed to complications from bacterial meningitis and related blood infections.
Chase spent her final days in Los Angeles, living with her boyfriend near a hospital. Reports indicate that she experienced severe malnutrition prior to her hospitalization earlier that month. The onset of meningitis, combined with multiple blood infections that developed sepsis, ultimately led to her body shutting down.
Born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase was raised in Albany, Oregon, where she began acting at the tender age of four. She first gained recognition at seven with a guest spot on the television show “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” Chase’s breakout role came in the critically acclaimed 2001 film “Donnie Darko,” where she portrayed Samantha Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
Chase’s career skyrocketed in 2002 when she lent her voice to Lilo Pelekai, a young girl who adopts an alien, in Disney’s animated classic “Lilo & Stitch.” She continued to portray Lilo in several sequels and a television series that aired from 2003 to 2006. That same year, she terrified audiences as Samara Morgan in the horror film “The Ring,” earning accolades, including the 2003 MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Despite her early success, Chase withdrew from the entertainment scene in the latter years of her life. Her last notable role was in the 2016 horror flick “Jack Goes Home.” By 2017, she had largely faded from public view, focusing instead on personal interests, such as feline rescue, and living modestly away from Hollywood’s limelight.
Chase’s later years were marked by personal struggles, highlighted by legal issues, including arrests related to substance possession. Reports indicate friends searched for her on Skid Row in the months leading up to her death.
In the days before her passing, a man claiming to be her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, initiated a GoFundMe campaign for her care and memorial. However, this fundraiser soon sparked controversy among her family and close friends, who did not recognize him. Hernandez maintained that he had been in a relationship with Chase since 2019 and insisted the fundraiser was intended for legitimate purposes.
Chase’s former manager emphasized that Chase had sufficient funds in a SAG trust account for her medical expenses and urged potential donors to verify information before contributing. Amidst the unfolding story, the complexities of her final days highlight a life that evolved from beloved childhood stardom to personal trials, culminating in a tragic end that has left many reflecting on both her talent and the struggles she faced.