Daveigh Chase, Disney’s Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ Cause of Death Revealed

UPDATE (06/29/2026 at 3:05 p.m. ET): Lilo & Stitch star Daveigh Chase‘s cause of death has been announced by the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office. Chase, who also went by Davie Schwallier, died of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Chronic polysubstance use was listed as a secondary cause. The coroner’s report says she died of natural causes on June 16 in a Los Angeles hospital.

ORIGINAL STORY (6/17/2026 at 1:53 p.m. ET): Daveigh Chase has died at the age of 35. Chase was the voice of Lilo in Disney’s original Lilo & Stitch and the followup animated series. She also played Samara Morgan in The Ring, was the voice of Chihiro Ogino in the American dub of Spirited Away, and played Samantha in Donnie Darko.

Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told TMZ that Chase died on Tuesday, June 16, due to complications from meningitis and an infection in her blood. This led to septic issues that caused her body to shut down.

Chase was reportedly admitted to a Los Angeles hospital earlier in June to treat malnutrition.

Hernandez had set up a GoFundMe for Chase prior to her death.

“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life,” Hernandez said on the GoFundMe. “Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ and ‘Donnie Darko.’ But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship. After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”

“Recently, everything changed,” the statement continued. “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. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.”

Chase’s most recent acting role was in the 2016 film American Romance. Some of her other credits include Without a Trace, CSI, Charmed, The Practice, and more.

While Chase has never publicly addressed her apparent retirement from acting, she had not appeared in anything for a decade before her death.