Daveigh Chase’s Cause of Death: Lilo & Stitch Star Dead at 35

Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara in The Ring, has died at 35, according to reports. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told TMZ that she died on Tuesday from complications linked to meningitis and a blood infection that led to septic issues and, ultimately, her body shutting down.

Reports say Chase had recently been hospitalized in Los Angeles after dealing with malnutrition, and her condition worsened after the infections set in.

Daveigh Chase’s Health Battle Before Her Death

Lilo & Stitch (2002)/ Credit Walt Disney Pictures

TMZ’s account, as relayed by Hernandez, points to meningitis as the reason for Chase’s bad health, an inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord, which can become life-threatening if not treated quickly, especially when it spreads to the bloodstream.

In Chase’s case, the infection appears to have progressed to sepsis, a dangerous systemic response that can cause organ failure. Combined with her recent malnutrition and hospitalization, her body became unable to cope with the strain. Hernandez described the situation as tragic, noting that Chase had been dealing with health challenges that escalated rapidly. While details about her longer-term health history remain limited in public reports, the focus now is on the immediate medical crisis that led to her passing

Chase became a defining child star of the early 2000s, seamlessly moving between Disney’s warm, family-friendly world and the realm of horror icon status. As Lilo, she brought a mix of innocence and resilience to the animated heroine, while in The Ring, she delivered one of the most chilling performances in modern horror cinema. Her career spanned voice work and screen roles, including appearances in films and television projects that solidified her place in pop culture.

After stepping away from acting around 2016, Chase faced a series of personal and legal issues that kept her out of the spotlight for nearly a decade, as reported by Independent.co.uk. Her sudden death at 35 has shocked fans who remembered her as a bright, promising young talent. 

Share your favorite Daveigh Chase moment or a tribute in the comments below, and let us know how Lilo & Stitch or The Ring impacted your childhood.