Daveigh Chase, Voice of Lilo & Stitch, Dies at 35 After Meningitis Complications

On June 16, 2026, the entertainment world lost a familiar voice and a formidable talent. Daveigh Chase, best known for bringing Disney’s Lilo to life and for her terrifying portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring, died at 35.

The cause of death was complications from meningitis and a blood infection that progressed to sepsis, according to Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who confirmed the news to TMZ. Hernandez said that Chase had been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital earlier in June for malnutrition and had been battling serious blood infections and meningitis in the days before her death. He also noted that a GoFundMe campaign had been launched to cover her medical expenses.

Chase’s death was reported by several outlets, including Deadline, The Guardian, and the Associated Press. In his statements, Hernandez emphasized that the young actress had been ill for weeks, with her condition worsening rapidly. Hospital officials have not released further medical details, but the timing of her admission and subsequent decline match the timeline described by Hernandez.

Chase’s career began in childhood. She first captured attention in 2001 with her role as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and as the English‑dub voice of Chihiro Ogino in the Studio Ghibli classic Spirited Away. In 2002, she voiced Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, a performance that earned her an Annie Award in 2003. The same year she stepped into horror, playing the vengeful child‑spirit Samara Morgan in The Ring, a role that garnered her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003.

After early success, Chase transitioned to adult roles. She appeared as Rhonda Volmer on HBO’s Big Love from 2006 to 2011 and had a supporting part in the 2009 film S. Darko. Her final on‑screen appearance came in the 2016 drama Jack Goes Home. Following that film, she largely withdrew from public life, citing personal and legal difficulties.

In the weeks before her passing, Chase’s social media activity was sparse. Her last Instagram post, a black‑and‑white photo shared on November 19, 2017, showed her beside a unicorn balloon with the caption “Unicorns DO exist 😻.” After the news of her death, fans flooded the comments section with tributes, sharing memories of her work and expressing condolences.

Hernandez’s GoFundMe page, created before Chase’s death, described her as “a light in his life” and highlighted the hardships she had endured, including bullying and a difficult childhood. The campaign noted that Chase had been diagnosed with serious blood infections and meningitis, and that her condition had become critical.

The loss of Daveigh Chase marks the passing of a performer who bridged the worlds of live‑action and voice acting. Her work on Lilo & Stitch and The Ring remains influential in both the animation and horror genres, and her performances continue to be referenced by fans and industry professionals alike.

At this time, no further statements have been released by Chase’s family or representatives. The circumstances surrounding her death have been confirmed by her boyfriend’s statements to TMZ and by the medical information reported by the Los Angeles hospital where she was treated.

The entertainment community has responded with memorials and tributes across social media platforms, underscoring the impact of Chase’s contributions to film and television over her 15‑year career.