Actress Daveigh Chase, known for her role as Lilo in Disney's 2002 animated film 'Lilo & Stitch,' died in mid-June at the age of 35. According to a medical examiner's report reviewed by E! News, her cause of death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and prolonged drug abuse. The report classified the manner of death as 'natural.' Chase passed away in a Los Angeles hospital, and her struggles with addiction were noted as significant contributing factors to her death.
Prior to her passing, Chase had reportedly been living on the streets. Initial reports suggested she died from meningitis and an infection leading to sepsis, according to comments from Roy Hernandez, who claimed to be her boyfriend. Chase had also been hospitalized due to malnutrition.
Her longtime manager, John Ryan, stated that Chase likely had millions in uncollected residuals from her role as Lilo, which included earnings from merchandise and theme park attractions. Ryan and Chase's stepsister, Gaia Brown, had previously hired a private investigator to locate her in hopes of getting her treatment for addiction.
In 2025, a video surfaced showing a woman resembling Chase in a distressed state on Skid Row, prompting Ryan to search for her. He mentioned that they were close to finding her but she had left the area by the time they arrived. Chase's final acting role was in the 2016 film 'American Romance.'