Daveigh Chase, child star known for Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, dies at 35, her boyfriend says

Daveigh Chase, the Los Angeles-based actor best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and for portraying the ghost Samara Morgan in the 2002 film The Ring, has died at age 35, according to a report published by The Guardian on June 17, 2026.

The Guardian reported that Chase’s boyfriend said she died from meningitis and a blood infection, which he said led to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition triggered by the body’s response to an infection, according to widely used medical terminology, though the report attributes the cause to statements from the family’s representative rather than a hospital announcement.

Chase’s voice work in Lilo & Stitch made her a familiar presence for audiences, as the character of Lilo became a central figure in Disney’s animated franchise. Her role also placed her among a class of performers whose work extends beyond live-action credits, reaching viewers through recurring television and media distribution.

In The Ring, Chase played Samara Morgan, a role that contributed to the film’s lasting cultural footprint in the horror genre. The Guardian’s account described her performance as a defining part of her public recognition, particularly for audiences who connected the character to the movie’s enduring reputation.

Beyond her most visible credits, public reaction to a child actor’s death often includes renewed scrutiny of how the entertainment industry supports performers across transitions in age and career. In this case, the Guardian report centers on her public work and the medical circumstances surrounding her death, without detailing additional professional or personal developments.

The Guardian report does not indicate a memorial service date, a public statement from studios or production companies, or any official documentation about the illness beyond the account attributed to her boyfriend. As with other recent celebrity deaths, updates may follow through statements from family members, agents, or organizations associated with the projects in which she appeared.

For audiences, Chase’s major roles remain part of the continuing media library tied to Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, keeping her performances accessible after her death. Her passing is likely to renew public discussion of her work in both the animated and horror genres, with tributes concentrating on her most widely recognized characters.