The cause of death for former child actress Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, has been officially revealed weeks after her passing at age 35. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Chase died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with chronic polysubstance use listed as a contributing condition.
Initial Reports and Official Confirmation
Chase reportedly passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in a Los Angeles hospital. Her longtime manager, John Ryan Jr., initially confirmed her death and stated that she had suffered from sepsis caused by meningitis. However, the medical examiner's report later determined that AIDS was the primary cause, with polysubstance use playing a role.
Father's Statement on Her Final Months
Daveigh Chase's father, John David Schwallier, revealed that his daughter had been homeless and living in Los Angeles with her boyfriend before her death. Born Daveigh Schwallier, she began acting at age four and landed her first Hollywood role at seven. She retired from full-time acting in 2015.
Fans React to the News
Fans expressed shock and sadness upon learning the cause of death. Many questioned how she could have died from AIDS in an era where treatment is widely available. Comments on social media included: 'In this western society, medical care, day and age still dying of aids?' and 'Disney sure knows how to use em and lose em.' Others noted the industry's failure to support her, with one user writing, 'So many actors & actress have lost their lives & careers due to bad management & the industry.'
Early Career Highlights
Chase's early TV appearance included a small role on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She gained fame for voicing Lilo in the 2002 animated hit Lilo & Stitch and its subsequent sequels and TV series. She also appeared in films such as The Ring and Big Love.
Broader Context of Celebrity Deaths
Chase's death comes amid other tragic losses in the entertainment industry. Recently, Ghanaian fashion designer Sadia Sanusi passed away, with her family releasing an official statement. The fashion world mourned the loss of the young style icon, whose death raised questions about the pressures faced by public figures.
