Daveigh Chase’s official cause of death has been released two weeks after the former child star died at 35.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner listed Chase’s primary cause of death as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS.
Chronic polysubstance use was listed as a significant condition that contributed to her death.
Chronic polysubstance use refers to the repeated, long-term use of two or more substances, including illicit drugs, prescription medications or alcohol, either at the same time or within a short period, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Chase’s manner of death was ruled natural.
She died in a hospital, and her body was not brought to the coroner’s office.
Chase’s father, John Schwallier, previously told NBC News by text that his daughter “died of complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection.”
He also said Chase “was suffering from severe malnutrition.”
Her former manager, John Ryan Jr., disputed claims tied to a crowdfunding campaign that surfaced before reports of Chase’s death began circulating.
“Daveigh’s estate has plenty of means to pay for the cremation,” Ryan said in a statement to Deadline. “John is next of kin and never signed any paperwork over to this so-called boyfriend.”
TMZ first reported Chase’s death through her alleged boyfriend, Roy Hernandez.
Ryan urged fans not to donate to the fundraiser.
New details have come out about the death of actress Daveigh Chase, the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and Samara in The Ring.
The medical examiner says the 35-year-old died from complications related to AIDS, with substance abuse listed as a contributing factor.
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— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 30, 2026
“That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh,” Ryan told the outlet. “Myself, her father, her uncle and all of us close friends who knew her for decades are encouraging people not to donate to this page.”
Ryan also accused Hernandez of trying to control the story around Chase’s final days.
“This man making these claims brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn’t let any of the family know until she passed so he can control the dialogue. Daveigh’s actual family is handling all arrangements. We have contacted GoFundMe to let them know this man started this page on his own under Daveigh’s name when she was already unresponsive and urging people to report the page and not donate.”
Chase became famous as a child, voicing Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated hit “Lilo & Stitch.”
She was only 8 when she was cast in the role, working alongside Tia Carrere and Chris Sanders to bring the Oscar-nominated film to life.
Chase later voiced Lilo in more than 60 episodes of “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” and returned to the character in video games and other multimedia projects.
That same year, she became a horror favorite with her chilling performance as Samara in DreamWorks’ “The Ring.”
The role turned Chase into a young scream queen and introduced her to a very different audience from the Disney crowd.
In 2003, Chase won Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards for her role in “The Ring,” beating Mike Myers, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Her death has stunned fans who remember her as one of the most recognizable child performers of the early 2000s.
For many, Chase will remain the voice behind one of Disney’s most beloved characters and the face of one of horror’s most unforgettable villains.
