‘Lilo & Stitch’ actor Daveigh Chase dies at 35: What we know about the cause of her death

Daveigh Chase has died at 35.Fans all around the world are mourning the child actress who voiced Lilo in Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and haunted a generation as Samara in ‘The Ring’, after the news broke.

With these unforgettable gigs, Chase became one of Hollywood's most recognizable young actors in the early 2000s.

At just 12 years old, she simultaneously became the voice behind one of Disney's most beloved animated characters and the face of one of the most terrifying villains in modern horror cinema.Her passing, after a sudden health crisis, stunned people who grew up watching her.What happened?Per Deadline, Chase passed away on June 16, 2026, after suffering a series of severe medical complications.

Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed to TMZ that she had been battling meningitis as well as serious blood infections that ultimately triggered sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection causes widespread inflammation and organ damage.Notably, Hernandez had recently set up a GoFundMe page for Chasew ho was battling medical issues.

He wrote there, “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.”Per TMZ, Hernandez said that an infection in her blood caused “septic issues and led to her body shutting down.”Hernandez also revealed that Chase had been hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier in June.

Per multiple reports, she was initially admitted because of malnutrition, but things went downhill fast after that.

She got meningitis, then bloodstream infections, and eventually, multiple organ systems failed.

She died less than a month before what would have been her 36th birthday, on July 24.Daveigh Chase: A young talent lost to multiple health crisesAlthough Chase didn’t share details about her health hurdles publicly, per Hernandez, she faced significant personal and physical challenges in recent years.

According to statements posted in fundraising campaigns launched during her illness, the young actress has reportedly endured a difficult childhood, periods of instability, and estrangement from family members.

In short, she struggled to find consistent support and security.However, per Hernandez, malnutrition was the most immediate issue when she was hospitalized this final time.

That weakens the immune system, making infections harder to fight.

Meningitis and sepsis hit hard and fast, and her body shut down.Now, although medical experts note that malnutrition can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections and recover from illness, no direct medical link between her malnutrition and the fatal infections has been officially established; both conditions were mentioned in reports describing her final weeks.

The more serious complications emerged when she developed meningitis and multiple blood infections.What is meningitis?Per Mayo Clinic, meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other infectious agents.Bacterial meningitis, in particular, is considered a medical emergency because it can progress rapidly and become life-threatening within hours or days if not treated aggressively.Symptoms of this disease often include severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, confusion, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.

In severe cases, the infection can spread into the bloodstream and trigger sepsis.In case of meningitis, early diagnosis and treatment are critical because delays can dramatically increase the risk of complications.What is sepsis?Per the Cleveland Clinic, sepsis occurs when the body's immune response to an infection spirals out of control.

Instead of fighting the infection in a targeted way, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation throughout the body, which can damage tissues, impair blood flow, and ultimately lead to organ failure.It’s important to note that sepsis is considered one of the world's leading causes of preventable deaths.

Symptoms can include fever, rapid heartbeat, confusion, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and dangerously low blood pressure.

However, if not treated quickly with antibiotics, fluids, and intensive medical care, sepsis can progress to septic shock, which is a critical condition associated with a high risk of death.As per reports, Chase's meningitis and blood infections developed into severe septic complications that caused her body to shut down.The official cause of deathBased on Hernandez’s statements and multiple reports, Chase's death occurred due to the complications from meningitis and serious bloodstream infections that led to sepsis and multi-organ failure.

However, it’s important to note that additional medical details have not yet been publicly released.Daveigh Chase: A child star left too soonBorn in Las Vegas but raised in Oregon, Daveigh Chase started acting when she was just seven.

From commercials to kids’ TV cameos, she did it all.

And then ‘Donnie Darko’ happened when she was 11.

At 12, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ made her instantly recognizable.

Chase then terrified audiences in ‘The Ring’ that same year.

She was named Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards, beating out some massive stars.Chase voiced Chihiro in 'Spirited Away’s English dub, and played Rhonda Volmer on HBO’s ‘Big Love’.

Long after she’d stepped away from Hollywood, her performances stuck with a whole generation.Later in life, Chase stepped away from the spotlight, faced personal battles, and tried to carve out a stable life in Los Angeles.

According to Hernandez, she fought hard for her safety and happiness, even if things rarely came easily.Get the latest movie news, reviews, and celebrity updates.

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