‘Lilo and Stitch’ Star Daveigh Chase’s Cause of Death Revealed

Months after speculation swirled around her sudden passing, the truth behind Daveigh Chase's death has finally come to light. New medical records paint a fuller picture of the actress's final days than what was first publicly shared.

Daveigh Chase's official cause of death has been revealed. The late actress, known for her iconic roles as Samara in "The Ring" and as Lilo in "Lilo & Stitch," passed away on June 16, 2026. She was 35.

At the time, her reported boyfriend Roy Hernandez told TMZ that she died from meningitis and several serious blood infections that led to sepsis, causing her body to shut down. She had also been hospitalized earlier that month due to malnutrition.

In documents obtained by People, it has now been confirmed that Daveigh died from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A Los Angeles medical examiner's report listed her cause of death as AIDS, with other significant conditions including chronic polysubstance use.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the latter is defined as "using more than one substance and following a pattern of use that affects your health and quality of life." The medical report also states that Daveigh died in a hospital and that her manner of death was natural.

Shortly before she passed, Hernandez started a GoFundMe campaign with the intention of giving her a "sense of home and peace." He wrote, "After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA."

He continued, "Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy."

The fundraiser's goal was set at $5,500. At the time of writing, it had raised $4,193. Following news of Daveigh's death, however, her former manager and friend John Ryan urged fans not to donate, claiming her estate had more than enough resources to cover her funeral arrangements.

"That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh," Ryan said in a statement to Deadline. "Myself, her father, her uncle and all of us close friends who knew her for decades are encouraging people not to donate to this page."

Ryan said he was working alongside Chase's father, John Schwallier, who he says is next of kin and has "never signed any paperwork over to this so called boyfriend." He further alleged that Hernandez launched the fundraiser under Daveigh's own name while she was already unresponsive.

"This man making these claims brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn't let any of the family know until she passed so he can control the dialogue. Daveigh's actual family is handling all arrangements," he shared.

Daveigh rose to fame with her breakout role as Lilo in the early 2000s, a part she went on to reprise in "Stitch! The Movie," "Lilo and Stitch: The Series," and several other related projects. She also earned recognition for her work in "Donnie Darko," "Oliver Beene," and "Spirited Away."

She remained a familiar face on screen until the mid-2010s, when her career came to an abrupt halt.

Daveigh battled addiction and eventually became homeless, living in Los Angeles's notorious Skid Row district. She also had several run-ins with the law, though her family never stopped searching for her.

Tragically, by the time they finally located her, as her mother, Cathy Chase, later recalled, she was already gone.