Child actress from Lilo & Stitch, Daveigh Chase, died at 35 from AIDS, confirmed by coroner.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of former child star Daveigh Chase at the age of 35. Daveigh, best known for her roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, died on June 17th in Los Angeles. The coroner's office has now confirmed that her cause of death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a serious illness caused by the human immunodeficiency virus.

Her death was also attributed to chronic polysubstance use, a result of her struggle with drug addiction. According to her father, John David Schwallier, Daveigh had been battling drug addiction since the age of 13 and had been estranged from her family for many years. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, had recently started a fundraiser to help her with medical expenses and to provide her with comfort and peace during her last days.

However, her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was pronounced dead shortly after the fundraiser was launched. In the months leading up to her death, Daveigh faced several health challenges. She was hospitalized for severe malnutrition and was later diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and severe bloodstream infections.

It was during this time that she also learned she had AIDS and was given a very short time to live. Daveigh's boyfriend, Roy, described her struggles post-acting, including strained relationships with her family and bullying. He shared that he had promised to protect her and provide her with love and comfort, and they had found moments of happiness and hope together.

Many of Daveigh's former colleagues and friends have been paying tribute to her, with fans reminiscing about her roles in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, which played a key part in their childhood memories. Directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, who worked with Daveigh on Lilo & Stitch, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, with an illustration of Stitch wiping a tear from his eye. Daveigh's career in Hollywood began when she was just a child, and she quickly became known for her talent and versatility.

However, as she grew older, she faced challenges and eventually retreated from public life. Her final acting credits were in 2016, with roles in the thriller American Romance, the horror film Jack Goes Home, and the video game Let It Die. She also appeared in the HBO drama Big Love and independent films like Yellow.

Daveigh's other notable roles include playing Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and the creepy girl Samara Morgan in The Ring. She also lent her voice to the beloved animated film Spirited Away and voiced Lilo throughout Disney's media franchise. As we mourn the loss of Daveigh, let us remember her for her talent, her courage in facing her struggles, and the joy she brought to our lives through her performances.

May she rest in peace.