Actress Daveigh Chase, famous for voicing Lilo in the popular Disney movie Lilo & Stitch, passed away this week at 35 years old.
Chase succumbed to complications from meningitis and a blood infection at a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday, as confirmed by her father, John David Schwallier, to The New York Times.
Her father mentioned that she had been living with her boyfriend near the hospital where she ultimately passed away.
According to her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, she had been hospitalized since early June due to malnutrition, as reported by TMZ.
Besides her notable role in the 2002 film Lilo & Stitch, she lent her voice to various spinoffs of the movie and also voiced the main character in Hayao Miyzaki’s Academy Award-winning animated feature Spirited Away.
Originally from Las Vegas, Chase appeared in numerous films and TV shows, such as playing Jake Gyllenhaal’s character’s younger sister in the 2001 film Donnie Darko and portraying the antagonist Samara opposite Naomi Watts in the 2002 American adaptation of the Japanese horror flick The Ring.
For her voice work in Lilo & Stitch, she earned the 2002 Annie Award for best young artist and the 2003 MTV Movie Award for best villain for her role in The Ring.
Chase had a recurring role throughout all five seasons of the HBO series Big Love and made guest appearances on various shows like ER, Touched by an Angel, Family Law, and Without a Trace.
Her most recent credited appearance on screen was in the 2016 movie American Romance.
Prior to her passing, Chase’s boyfriend initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with her medical expenses during her hospital stay.
Her boyfriend expressed, “After a challenging upbringing and estrangement from her family, Daveigh faced bullying and struggled to find security and happiness in downtown L.A. When we connected, I vowed to shield her and provide the love and solace she deserved. Together, we discovered fleeting moments of joy and optimism.”
“All she desired was a place where we could reside together, feel secure, and be content,” he added.
The campaign garnered over $4,000 US, with a substantial portion donated within the first day after her demise.