Former child star Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney's beloved Lilo & Stitch and terrifying audiences as Samara Morgan in The Ring, has died at the age of 35 following a sudden health crisis.
According to reports, Chase passed away Tuesday after battling meningitis and a severe blood infection that led to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, revealed that the actress had been hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this month after suffering from malnutrition.
Chase became a household name at a young age when she voiced Lilo in Disney's 2002 animated hit Lilo & Stitch and later reprised the role in the television series. That same era also saw her lend her voice to Chihiro in the English-language version of the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away.
She later cemented her place in pop culture history with her chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in the horror blockbuster The Ring. The role earned her widespread acclaim and an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Beyond her most iconic performances, Chase built an impressive résumé that included appearances in Donnie Darko, ER, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Mercy, and Beethoven's 5th. From 2006 to 2011, she starred as Rhonda Volmer in HBO's critically acclaimed drama Big Love, appearing in more than 30 episodes.
While her career showed remarkable promise, Chase also faced personal struggles and several legal troubles that made headlines over the years. Despite stepping away from the spotlight in recent years, her performances continued to resonate with fans of both family entertainment and horror films alike.
For many, Chase will forever be remembered as the spirited voice behind Lilo and the haunting face of one of horror cinema's most unforgettable villains.
She was 35.
Fans across social media have been paying tribute to the actress, remembering the impact she made on an entire generation of moviegoers through roles that ranged from heartwarming to unforgettable nightmares.
