Cause of death revealed for ‘Lilo and Stitch’ voice actor Daveigh Chase - AZ Family

(Gray News) – Daveigh Chase, the actress who voiced Lilo in the beloved 2002 Disney film “Lilo & Stitch,” died of AIDS, according to the medical examiner’s office. Chase, 35, whose legal name was Daveigh Schwallier, died at a hospital June 16. “Chronic polysubstance use” was also listed as a contributing cause to her death. On a recent GoFundMe page, her boyfriend wrote, “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left.” Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, confirmed to The New York Times she died from complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. She had been homeless in Los Angeles with her boyfriend near the hospital where she died, he told the newspaper. Chase continued to voice Lilo in the Disney Channel series “Lilo & Stitch” that followed the film’s success. The show ran from 2003 to 2006 and had 67 episodes. Chase was also known for her role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film “The Ring.” According to her IMDb page, Chase also appeared in the 2001 film “Donnie Darko” and had roles in single episodes of hit shows like “ER,” “Charmed” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” She was born July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon. In her small hometown, she began singing and dancing at age 3, according to IMDb. Chase struggled with drugs since she was 13 years old, Schwallier said in an interview with the Times. He said his daughter was estranged from her parents, who are divorced. Schwallier said he was in touch with Chase’s boyfriend, and just before she died, arrived at the Los Angeles hospital where she was being treated. Copyright 2026 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report. We want to hear what you think. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Read our community guidelines here.