Daveigh Chase. The voice behind Lilo in Disney’s 2002 film Lilo & Stitch, died on June 16 in Los Angeles at the age of 35. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office confirmed that her cause of death was AIDS, with chronic polysubstance use listed as a contributing factor, according to Variety and WFLA. Chase also went by the name Daveigh Schwallier and had struggled with homelessness and drug addiction since age 13, as revealed by her father, John David Schwallier, in an interview with the New York Times.

Early Career and Notable Roles

Chase’s breakout role came in 2002 when she voiced Lilo, the central character in Lilo & Stitch, a film that became a cultural touchstone for Disney. After that. She continued to voice characters in the franchise, including in Stitch!; the Movie (2003), Leroy & Stitch (2006), and Lilo & Stitch: The Series on Disney Channel. She also appeared in the horror film The Ring as the eerie Samara Morgan and in Donnie Darko as Samantha Darko.

Personal Struggles and Final Months

Chase’s personal life was marked by hardship. In the years after she stopped acting around 2016, she faced legal issues, including charges related to riding in a stolen car and possession of a controlled substance. Her boyfriend. Roy Hernandez. Told TMZ that she had been battling meningitis and sepsis in her final days. Hernandez had also created a GoFundMe campaign earlier in June, titled “Help Daveigh Chase Find Comfort and Peace,” explaining that she had been hospitalized for severe malnutrition and multiple serious infections.

According to a hospital report from early June, Chase was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital for malnutrition and was diagnosed with meningitis; she later developed septicemia, a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream. Her condition worsened rapidly, and doctors told Hernandez she might not survive. In a statement. He said, “After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown L.A. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved; Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”

Legacy and Ongoing Projects

Chase’s death coincided with a recent How NOT To Draw short featuring Angel, an experiment character from Lilo & Stitch: The Series. The timing aligned with 626 Day, a Disney fan event celebrating Stitch on June 26. Angel, originally created by Jumba Jookiba in the series, was known for her siren-like song that could turn other experiments evil—a trait reversed when the song was sung backward. Angel became a fan-favorite character due to her relationship with Stitch and her later characterization as an intergalactic singer.

Separately, a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is set for release in 2025 in France and on Disney+ in 2026. The film, directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp and starring Maia Kealoha as Lilo, will be shot in Hawaii and includes cultural consultants to ensure authenticity in portraying the island’s traditions and language.

The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office released Chase’s cause of death on June 22, confirming the initial speculation raised by Hernandez and others. Chase’s death has sparked conversations about the intersection of fame, mental health, and addiction. Her father noted that he had not spoken with her in many years, adding to the sense of isolation that defined her later life. Despite the challenges, her early career remains a highlight for many Disney fans, and her voice will be remembered in the legacy of Lilo & Stitch.