Death of Former Child Actor Daveigh Chase Attributed to AIDS

Former child star Daveigh Chase passed away on June 16 in Los Angeles, as reported by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. The 35-year-old’s death was attributed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to recently updated medical examiner records, which listed her last name as Schwallier. Chronic polysubstance abuse was also mentioned as a significant condition.

Chase gained fame for voicing Lilo in Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and for her role in the 2002 horror film ‘The Ring.’ Following her death in a hospital in Los Angeles, her father, John David Schwallier, confirmed to The New York Times that Chase’s death was complicated by bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. He revealed that she had been living homeless in Los Angeles with her boyfriend.

According to Schwallier, Chase had battled drug addiction since the age of 13. He noted that she was estranged from her divorced parents. When commenting on AIDS being listed as the cause of death, her father remarked, “I know with her lifestyle that was probably the conclusion so I’m not surprised.” He expressed regret over the tragedy and suggested that helping her would have made for a better story.

Chase’s career began early; she auditioned for Lilo at age 8. Her portrayal of Samara in ‘The Ring’ earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. She also voiced a lead role in the 2001 animated film ‘Spirited Away’ and had roles in ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001) and the TV show ‘Oliver Beene’ (2003). Born in Las Vegas, Chase was raised in Albany, Oregon, and began singing and dancing at age 3.