Former child actress Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara Morgan in The Ring, reportedly faced a difficult period in the months before her death. According to The New York Post, Chase's longtime manager John Ryan said the actress was struggling with homelessness and health issues before she died at the age of 35.
Manager's Efforts to Help
Ryan claimed that he and Chase's step-sister, Gaia Brown, had been working to locate her and arrange help after losing contact with her. Ryan said he was alerted in late 2025 to a video that allegedly showed Chase in a severely weakened condition while living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. He said he attempted to reach her and provide assistance, but she had disappeared by the time he arrived.
The manager revealed that he had hoped to help Chase enter a rehabilitation facility in Costa Rica after helping her recover in Los Angeles. He described the actress as a "sweetest and brightest light" and said her work would continue to be remembered.
Rise to Fame
Chase rose to fame as a child star after becoming the voice of Lilo in the 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch and later gained recognition for her role as Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring. Her other acting credits included Donnie Darko, Jack Goes Home, and American Romance.
Cause of Death
Chase died on June 17, reportedly following meningitis and a blood infection that led to severe complications. She had also reportedly been hospitalised for severe malnourishment before her death. Her passing has renewed attention on her career, with fans remembering her early Hollywood success and iconic roles.
