In a news that shocked Hollywood, famed former child star Daveigh Chase has tragically died from sepsis caused by severe meningitis and blood infections. The actress, best known for playing Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror hit “The Ring” and voicing Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch”, was 35.
News of her death was relayed by Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez – who previously opened a GoFundMe page in her name to raise funds for her medical bills. Hernandez’s claim about Chase’s financial woe has since been contested by her former manager, John Ryan, who accused Hernandez of taking advantage of her situation.
“There are no medical bills to be paid or funeral expenses,” Ryan said in a statement. “Myself and the family are handling all of those costs.”
He continued by blasting Hernandez’s negligence: “As far as I’m concerned with the condition this man brought her to the hospital, he should be in jail. Myself and the family are sickened at the condition she was in before she passed.”
Prior to her death, the actress had been living in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, an area known for its homeless population. Photo of her emaciated condition, lying in what appeared to be a makeshift tent, was obtained by the tabloids – providing a stark contrast from the bright eyed star in her heyday. How Chase ended up there is unknown, although her parents have revealed that the “Donnie Darko” star had been missing for ten years. Their statement also suggested that Chase had been battling drug addictions and multiple legal troubles prior to her passing.
Born Daveigh Elizabeth Chase in 1990, she rose to fame in 2002 with the dual success of portraying the haunting Samara Morgan in the American remake of “The Ring” and the voice of Lilo in Disney’s animated feature “Lilo & Stitch.” For the former role, Chase won Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards. She also voiced Chihiro in the American-dubbed Ghibli cartoon “Spirited Away.” After gaining fame as a child actress, however, Chase struggled to recreate the success in adulthood.