Daveigh Chase Dies: ‘The Ring’, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Actor Was 35

June 17, 2026 10:42am

Daveigh Chase, the former child actor who voiced the character of heroic Lilo in 2002’s acclaimed Lilo & Stitch and that same year was named Best Villain by MTV Movies Awards for her effectively creepy portrayal of the evil Samara Morgan in The Ring, died Tuesday of complications from meningitis. She was 35.

Her death was announced to TMZ by her boyfriend Roy Hernandez, who had just this week set up a GoFundMe page for the ailing Chase. Hernandez wrote that recently “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.”

Hernandez told TMZ that an infection in her blood caused “septic issues and led to her body shutting down.” Deadline has not independently confirmed the death.

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