Daveigh Chase, the actress whose voice helped define a generation through Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' and whose chilling performance in 'The Ring' haunted moviegoers for years, has died at the age of 35.
According to reports and statements shared by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, Chase passed away on June 16, 2026, following complications from meningitis and severe blood infections that reportedly led to septic shock.
© Donato SardellaShe had been hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this month while battling serious health issues and malnutrition.
The heartbreaking news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends, and loved ones who are remembering an actress whose work left an indelible mark on early 2000s pop culture.
For many millennials, Chase occupies a unique place in Hollywood history. In the same year, she became the voice behind one of Disney's most beloved animated heroines while also terrifying audiences as one of horror's most unforgettable villains.
© CBS Photo ArchiveAs Lilo Pelekai in 'Lilo & Stitch' (2002), Chase brought warmth, humor, and emotional depth to the young Hawaiian girl whose belief in "ohana" became one of Disney's most enduring messages.
Her performance earned widespread praise and helped secure the film's place as a modern animated classic.
That same year, she delivered a performance on the opposite end of the spectrum as Samara Morgan in 'The Ring.'
© Albert L. OrtegaThe role transformed Chase into a horror icon almost overnight, earning her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and cementing Samara as one of the most recognizable figures in modern horror cinema.
While those two projects became her signature roles, Chase's career extended far beyond Disney and horror.
She provided the English-language voice of Chihiro Ogino, also known as Sen, in the acclaimed English dub of 'Spirited Away' (2001), introducing countless young viewers to Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning masterpiece.
© Jody CortesOn television, she showcased her dramatic abilities as Rhonda Volmer in HBO's 'Big Love,' appearing in 32 episodes between 2006 and 2011.
Her portrayal of the manipulative young bride of a cult leader remains one of the series' most memorable performances.
Chase also appeared in 'Donnie Darko' (2001) as Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal's title character.
© Fairchild ArchiveYears later, she reprised the role as the lead of the sequel film.
Earlier in her career, she made guest appearances on beloved television series, including 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' and 'Charmed,' establishing herself as one of Hollywood's busiest young performers.
Behind the success, however, Chase reportedly faced significant personal struggles in the years after stepping away from acting in 2016.
© Jeff KravitzAccording to information shared by Hernandez on a GoFundMe page created during her final days, the former actress endured severe bullying, legal challenges, and a painful estrangement from family members while trying to rebuild stability in downtown Los Angeles.
In the days since her passing, fans have turned social media into a virtual memorial, revisiting the performances that shaped their childhoods and celebrating the impact Chase had on screen.
Among the most emotional tributes was a message from her uncle, who remembered his "ultra-talented niece" in an Instagram post honoring her life and career.
© Patrick McMullan"May the Heavenly Father take her in his arms and shower her with love and peace for eternity," he wrote.
Many fans have also gathered in the comments section of Chase's final Instagram post, a photo shared in 2017 showing her standing beside a unicorn balloon.
Messages of gratitude continue to pour in, with one admirer noting that through her portrayal of Lilo, she "definitely taught everyone the meaning of the word ohana."
© Frederick M. BrownAs tributes continue to emerge, many have revisited an interview Chase gave to Interview magazine in 2009, where she reflected on the kind of career she hoped to build.
"I just want to make something that I love and people will respect. I want to do things that will change someone's life, not something they'll forget about tomorrow."
© Patrick McMullanYears later, those words feel especially poignant.
Through characters as different as Lilo Pelekai, Chihiro Ogino, Rhonda Volmer, and Samara Morgan, Daveigh Chase created performances that remain woven into the memories of an entire generation.
