Kathrine Frich
The performer famously brought several iconic characters to life during the early 2000s.
Childhood stardom can bring immense joy to millions of movie fans around the world.
But behind the bright lights of Hollywood, young performers often face invisible battles that continue long after the cameras stop rolling. A beloved former voice actress has tragically passed away after a brief health struggle.
Tragically cut short
The entertainment world is mourning a devastating loss this week. Former child actress Daveigh Chase has passed away at the age of 35 following a severe battle with her health.
The performer famously brought several iconic characters to life during the early 2000s. She terrified audiences as Samara in the horror hit The Ring and brought joy to millions as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s classic movie Lilo & Stitch.
Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the heartbreaking news to the media. He revealed that she died on June 16 after developing a sudden illness that quickly overwhelmed her body.
Facing hidden hardships
According to reports from TMZ, the actress passed away from meningitis and a severe infection in her blood. The combined illnesses caused major septic issues that eventually made her body shut down completely.
Medical staff had previously admitted Chase to a hospital in Los Angeles earlier this month. Doctors at the facility initially treated her for malnutrition before her condition rapidly took a turn for the worse.
A GoFundMe fundraising page was launched shortly before her death to help support the star. The online fundraiser shed light on the intense personal difficulties she experienced away from the Hollywood spotlight.
“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. 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,” Hernandez wrote on the page, according to the Daily Star.
Seeking a home
The online message detailed her troubled life in California. Hernandez explained that she endured a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family before moving to downtown Los Angeles, where she struggled to find safety.
Her health problems escalated rapidly over the last few weeks. Doctors told her partner that her condition had become critical and that she might not have much time left.
“Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days,” Hernandez stated before her passing.
Sources: Daily Star, TMZ
