Daveigh Chase, best known as the voice of Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35. Days before her death, her boyfriend Roy Hernandez made a heartbreaking plea to fans and followers, desperately trying to help the former child star.
Boyfriend's Desperate Plea
Roy Hernandez, who was in a relationship with Chase, confirmed she died of meningitis after being hospitalized earlier this month due to malnutrition. In a bid to help her, he set up a GoFundMe page with a $5,500 target, writing: "Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life."
He continued: "Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Spirited Away,' and 'Donnie Darko.' But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship. After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA."
Roy explained that after her meningitis diagnosis, "everything changed." He wrote: "Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days. I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything. And if you can only give a prayer, I will take that too."
Outpouring of Support
Following the sad news, users flooded the GoFundMe page with condolences. One wrote: "It’s just so incredibly sad. Daveigh brought so much joy and hope to so many of us in childhood... May she find her Ohana on the other side." Another added: "So sad, on so many levels. Life can have its highs and its lows, and she was meant to fly."
Daveigh Chase's Career
Before her big break with Disney, Chase made appearances on shows like Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Charmed, and ER. In 2001, she starred as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore. She also played Samara Morgan, the main antagonist in the 2002 horror film The Ring.
Her death at 35 has left fans and loved ones mourning the loss of a talented actress who brought joy to many.
