Former child actor Daveigh Chase died of AIDS, LA medical examiner says
By Neil Ramos
Former child actor Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and starring in the horror film "The Ring," died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The medical examiner's office updated its records this week, listing Chase's cause of death as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Chase died on June 16 at the age of 35.
Following her death, her father, John David Schwallier, told The New York Times that she died in a Los Angeles hospital from complications related to bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. He also said she had been experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles with her boyfriend.
In a text message to The Associated Press after the medical examiner's findings were released, Schwallier said he was not surprised by the determination.
"I know with her lifestyle that was probably the conclusion, so I'm not surprised," he said.
He also described his daughter's death as tragic, adding that he wished she had received help before her condition worsened.
Schwallier told The New York Times that Chase had struggled with substance abuse since she was 13 years old and had become estranged from her divorced parents.
Chase began her acting career as a child and landed the role of Lilo in Disney's 2002 animated film "Lilo & Stitch" after auditioning at age 8. She also portrayed Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror hit "The Ring," earning the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Her other screen credits included voice work in the English-language version of the Academy Award-winning animated film "Spirited Away," as well as roles in "Donnie Darko" and the television series "Oliver Beene."