‘The Ring’ Star Daveigh Chase Died of AIDS, Medical Examiner Confirms
Daveigh Chase, the actor best known for her haunting performance as Samara in The Ring and for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, died from complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The medical examiner’s report listed chronic polysubstance use as another significant contributing condition and ruled the 35-year-old’s death as natural. Chase died in a Los Angeles hospital on June 16.
AIDS is the advanced stage of untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which weakens the body’s immune system and leaves it vulnerable to life-threatening infections and illnesses if left untreated.
Before the official findings were released, Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, had said his daughter died after developing complications from bacterial meningitis and a bloodstream infection.
He also revealed that she had been experiencing homelessness and was living in Los Angeles with her boyfriend before her death.
Following her passing, Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, launched a GoFundMe campaign, saying she had been battling meningitis and serious blood infections.
The fundraiser later became the subject of a dispute after Chase’s former manager, John Ryan, urged fans not to donate, arguing that the actress’s family was handling all funeral arrangements and had not authorized the campaign.
Hernandez denied the allegations, insisting the fundraiser was legitimate, while GoFundMe said it was reviewing the matter.
Chase began acting as a child and rose to international fame after voicing Lilo in the 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch.
She also earned widespread acclaim for portraying Samara in the horror hit The Ring, a performance that won her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. Her credits also include providing the English voice of Chihiro in the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away.
