Actor Daveigh Chase, recognized for lending her voice to Lilo in Disney’s popular animated movie “Lilo & Stitch,” passed away at the age of 35 this week. She succumbed to complications from meningitis and a blood infection at a Los Angeles hospital, as confirmed by her father, John David Schwallier. Tragically, Chase had been homeless and residing near the hospital with her boyfriend at the time of her passing.
Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, disclosed to TMZ that Chase had been hospitalized since early June due to malnutrition. Beyond her notable role in “Lilo & Stitch” in 2002, she also contributed her voice to various spinoffs of the film and portrayed the lead character in Hayao Miyzaki’s acclaimed animated feature “Spirited Away.”
Born in Las Vegas, Chase appeared in several films and TV shows, including “Donnie Darko” in 2001 and “The Ring” in 2002. She received the 2002 Annie Award for best young artist for her work on “Lilo & Stitch” and the 2003 MTV Movie Award for best villain for her performance in “The Ring.”
Chase had recurring roles in the HBO series “Big Love” and made guest appearances on shows like “ER,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Family Law,” and “Without a Trace.” Her last known screen appearance was in the 2016 film “American Romance.”
Before her untimely demise, Chase’s boyfriend initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist her during her hospitalization, aiming to provide the love and care she longed for after enduring a challenging upbringing. The fundraising effort garnered over $4,000 US within the initial 24 hours post her demise.
