Daveigh Chase, Lilo & Stitch and The Ring star, dies at 35

Daveigh Chase, the actress and voice artist best known for her iconic roles as the voice of Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and the haunting Samara Morgan in the horror film "The Ring," has died. She was 35. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed to media that Chase died on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from complications related to meningitis and a blood infection that led to septic shock.

According to Hernandez, Chase had been admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles earlier in June due to malnutrition before her condition rapidly deteriorated. In the days leading up to her death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her care, writing that she had been diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections and that her condition was critical.

Born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Chase rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of Hollywood's most recognizable child stars. Her breakthrough year was 2002, when she voiced the spirited Hawaiian girl Lilo Pelekai in Disney's animated hit "Lilo & Stitch," a role for which she won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting. She reprised the character in direct-to-video sequels and the television series "Lilo &...