Former Child Star Daveigh Chase, Known for ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘The Ring,’ Passes Away at 35

LOS ANGELES — Daveigh Chase, the former child star celebrated for her roles in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and the chilling thriller “The Ring,” has passed away at the age of 35.

Her father, John David Schwallier, revealed to The New York Times that Chase succumbed to complications arising from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. Tragically, she had been experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, living close to the hospital where she ultimately passed away, Schwallier shared with the newspaper.

The news of her passing was initially reported by TMZ on Wednesday, stating that Chase died on Tuesday.

Chase gained widespread recognition for lending her voice to the character Lilo in the 2002 animated classic, a role she secured at just 8 years old. In a recent development, a Hawaiian actress was selected to portray Lilo in the upcoming live-action adaptation.

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For her role as long-haired Samara in the 2002 horror film, Chase won an MTV movie award for best villain.

Chase also voiced another lead in the 2001 animated film “Spirited Away.” She had roles in the 2001 movie “Donnie Darko” and the 2003 show “Oliver Beene,” according to internet movie database IMDb.com.

She was born in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon. In her small hometown, she began singing and dancing at age 3, according to IMDb.

Chase struggled with drugs since she was 13 years old, Schwallier said in an interview with the Times. He said his daughter was estranged from her parents, who are divorced.

Schwallier said he was in touch with Chase’s boyfriend, and just before she died, arrived at the Los Angeles hospital where she was being treated.

An online fundraiser by her boyfriend raised about $4,000 as of Thursday. “Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ and ‘Donnie Darko,’” the fundraiser post said. “But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship.”