Child star Daveigh Chase's cause of death at 35 revealed to be AIDS…
The tragic cause of death for former child star Daveigh Chase has been revealed. The actress, best known for voicing Lilo Pelekai in the Lilo and Stitch franchise, as well as films like Spirited Away, The Ring and Donnie Darko, passed away at 35. Her death was announced on June 16, and she had been living out of the public eye for nearly a decade.
Per the report, it has been confirmed that Daveigh Chase's official cause of death was "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," also known as AIDS. "Chronic Polysubstance Use" was listed as a secondary cause, which can indicate a battle with substance abuse or, in some cases, an intentional overdose. The case status remains "Open," and her body has not yet been brought in. She was also listed by her birth name, "Daveigh Schwallier."
When her death was announced, her father John David Schwallier previously told the that she had died from "complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection," and was homeless and living with her boyfriend in Los Angeles near the hospital. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told that she had contracted sepsis due to "several serious blood infections." He started a GoFundMe page to care for her during her final days. "Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections," he'd written at the time, although his request for funds was later . "Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left."
Daveigh's successful career as a child star began with her breakout role in the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko and lending her voice to Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away that same year. She then achieved major box office success when she was cast as the iconic Samara in the 2002 horror film The Ring. This was followed by her being cast as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Disney's Lilo & Stitch in 2002, which was another huge success. She voiced the character for several more projects in the franchise. As she grew older, she transitioned to more mature roles such as in the show Big Love from 2006 to 2011 and her final film roles in 2016's Jack Goes Home and American Romance.
Per , Daveigh's final years were difficult. She developed substance abuse issues by 2015, during which she slowly bowed out of the entertainment industry. She exited the public eye altogether by the following year and then became estranged from most of her family and friends. Her father told NYT that she had struggled with addiction when she was just 13, falling out with her mother at 19, which was the last time he'd spoken with her. Daveigh then struggled with homelessness and illness and was reportedly living near Skid Row in LA at the time of her death.
