Do you remember that scary movie, The Ring? The one where a little girl crawls out of the TV and claims people’s lives? That very girl—who terrified the entire world—is no longer with us. Yes, you read that right. Daveigh Chase, who played the role of Samara Morgan in The Ring and voiced Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, has passed away at the age of 35.
You might find this news hard to believe. Thirty-five—an age when a person is typically at the peak of their career. Yet, this news has once again proven just how fragile life is. Let us take a closer look at Daveigh Chase’s life, her career, and the struggles she faced.
Who Was Daveigh Chase?
Daveigh Chase was born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She had a passion for acting from a young age. She began her career with commercials and gradually started working in TV shows.
In 1998, at the age of just eight, she made her acting debut in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Subsequently, she appeared in popular TV shows such as Charmed, ER, Touched by an Angel, CSI, and Cold Case. She also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the film Donnie Darko, although that movie was not as massive a hit as The Ring.
However, the year 2002 marked a turning point in Daveigh Chase’s career. That year saw the release of two films that made her a household name in Hollywood: The Ring and Lilo & Stitch.
‘The Ring’ – The Film That Terrified the World
If you are a fan of horror movies from the 2000s, ‘The Ring‘ is likely a familiar title. It was a Hollywood remake of the Japanese horror film ‘Ringu‘. In this film, Daveigh Chase played the role of Samara Morgan—the terrifying girl who curses people to death through an old video cassette. The scene where Samara crawls out of the television set left audiences across the globe absolutely petrified.
This character became the most iconic role of Daveigh Chase’s career. Her chilling performance proved that she was not merely a child actor, but a truly formidable talent.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ – A Heart-Winning Tale
If ‘The Ring’ gave Daveigh Chase a terrifying persona, ‘Lilo & Stitch‘ gave her an adorable one. This Disney animated film was released in 2002. In this film, Daveigh Chase voiced Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl. It was a story about family, friendship, and a sense of belonging that won the hearts of audiences of all ages.
It is fascinating that in the same year, Daveigh Chase portrayed two such contrasting characters—one that terrified the world and another that made it smile. This truly showcases her acting range.
TV Career – ‘Big Love’ and Other Shows
Apart from films, Daveigh Chase also worked extensively on television. She appeared in 32 episodes of the HBO show ‘Big Love‘. Additionally, she worked on ‘Mercy‘, ‘Beethoven’s 5th‘, and several other projects.
Daveigh Chase’s Death – What Happened?
This is the truly tragic part. On June 16, 2026, Daveigh Chase passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told TMZ that Daveigh Chase died due to meningitis and sepsis.
To put it simply: meningitis is a serious illness affecting the brain and spinal cord. The condition caused a severe blood infection that subsequently developed into sepsis—a life-threatening state where multiple organs begin to fail. Her manager, John Ryan Jr., confirmed to the BBC that Daveigh Chase died from sepsis resulting from meningitis.
Her condition before death – what happened?
This news is even more heart-wrenching. According to reports, Daveigh Chase had been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital just days before her death due to severe malnutrition. In other words, she had become so weak that her body was unable to fight off illness. Some reports also state that she had been living on the streets (homeless) for several months prior to her death.
Page Six has released a video showing Daveigh Chase on Skid Row in Los Angeles—an area known for its homeless population.
GoFundMe Controversy – What is the full story?
Another controversy has emerged following the death of Davey Chase. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, had launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover her medical treatment. However, Davey Chase’s former manager has claimed that Davey’s family and close friends do not know Roy Hernandez. This raises questions about who this man actually is and whether he was truly close to Davey.
Additionally, there are reports that Davey Chase had a substantial sum—amounting to crores of rupees—accrued in SAG (Screen Actors Guild) residuals, yet she was unable to access those funds.
Conclusion – A Star That Will Shine Forever
Daveigh Chase’s story is both inspiring and tragic. Inspiring, because she made a name for herself in Hollywood at such a young age; tragic, because she left us so soon and endured great struggles during her final days. She taught us that life is highly uncertain—here today, gone tomorrow. We must cherish our family, friends, and health.
Daveigh Chase—you will always remain in our memories as the voice of ‘Lilo’ and the haunting face of ‘Samara’. May your soul rest in peace.
Disclaimer : This article is based on various news sources. Information regarding the cause and circumstances of the death is based on preliminary reports. The article will be updated as new information becomes available.
Do you recall a specific scene featuring Daveigh Chase that made the biggest impression on you? Let us know in the comments.
