Actress Daveigh Chase, renowned for voicing Lilo in the popular Disney animated movie Lilo & Stitch, passed away at the age of 35 this week.
Chase succumbed to complications from meningitis and a blood infection at a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday, as confirmed by her father, John David Schwallier, to The New York Times.
According to her father, she had been living with her boyfriend near the hospital where she tragically lost her life.
Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, disclosed to TMZ that she had been hospitalized since early June for malnutrition treatment.
Besides her notable role in 2002’s Lilo & Stitch, she lent her voice to characters in various spinoffs of the film and also voiced the main character in Hayao Miyzaki’s award-winning animated movie Spirited Away.
Born in Las Vegas, Chase appeared in multiple films and TV shows, including playing the younger sibling of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character in 2001’s Donnie Darko and portraying the antagonist Samara alongside Naomi Watts in the 2002 Hollywood version of the Japanese horror film The Ring.
Her accolades include the 2002 Annie Award for best young artist for her work in Lilo & Stitch and the 2003 MTV Movie Award for best villain for her role in The Ring.
Chase had a recurring role throughout all five seasons of the HBO series Big Love and made guest appearances on various shows like ER, Touched by an Angel, Family Law, and Without a Trace.
Her last documented screen appearance, according to her IMDB profile, was in the 2016 film American Romance.
Prior to her recent passing, Chase’s boyfriend initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist her during her hospital stay.
“After enduring a challenging upbringing and a strained relationship with her family, Daveigh faced bullying and struggled to find solace and joy in downtown L.A. When we crossed paths, I vowed to shield her and provide the care and warmth she deserved. Together, we discovered moments of joy and optimism,” Hernandez penned.
“All she ever yearned for was a place where we could reside together, feel secure, and experience happiness,” he emphasized.
The campaign garnered over $4,000 US, with a majority of the contributions pouring in within the initial 24 hours following her demise.
