"The Ring" Actress Daveigh Chase Died of AIDS-Related Illness in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has released information that actress Daveigh Chase, known from the film "The Ring," died on June 16, 2026 as a result of AIDS. The 35-year-old actress's death was also attributed to chronic substance abuse. Chase was also known for her role in the Disney animated film "Lilo & Stitch" and the HBO series "Big Love".

A former Hollywood child actress, Daveigh Chase died in Los Angeles on June 16, 2026 at just 35 years old. The public knew her primarily for the horror film "The Ring," the Disney animated film "Lilo & Stitch," and the HBO drama series "Big Love." Two weeks after her death, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released the official cause of death.

Death from AIDS and Substance Abuse

According to official records, Chase died as a result of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV infection. Additionally, chronic substance abuse was listed as a contributing factor to her death. The manner of death was officially recorded as natural.

Chase was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital in early June. Her partner Roy Hernandez confirmed the actress's death and revealed that Chase had struggled with serious health problems, having been diagnosed with meningitis, a bloodstream infection, and sepsis, among other conditions. Before the actress's passing, Hernandez organized several GoFundMe fundraising campaigns to help cover medical expenses.

Career Beginning in Childhood

Daveigh Chase began acting at age four and made her first Hollywood role at age seven in the comedy "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." This was followed by roles in the cult film "Donnie Darko" (2001) and voice acting work in Studio Ghibli's hit "Spirited Away" (2001) and the Disney animated film "Lilo & Stitch" (2002), in which she voiced the energetic Hawaiian girl Lilo. She received an Annie Award for this role.

In 2002, the Hollywood version of the Japanese horror film "The Ring" brought her wider recognition, in which Chase played the vengeful Samara Morgan crawling out of the television. The role earned her an MTV Movie Award in the Best Villain category. In the HBO drama series "Big Love," she played the sociopathic teenager Rhonda, and in 2009 she returned to the "Donnie Darko" universe in the sequel "S. Darko."

Problems and Withdrawal from Public Life

Chase made her last film appearance in 2016. After that, her activities were mainly covered in a criminal context: in 2017, she was hospitalized unconscious following an overdose, and that same year she was a passenger in a stolen vehicle. In 2018, Chase was arrested on drug possession charges. Following these incidents, she withdrew from public life and social media.

The actress's manager spoke warmly of Chase: "She loved cats. She worked with shelter cats. She stayed true to herself." The manager added that Chase had declined major studio films for years and preferred low-budget independent projects. "She wasn't very Hollywood. She'd rather eat a hamburger and go home to her cats. She loved acting, but she didn't crave fame."