The cause of death of former child actress Daveigh Chase, best known for her roles in The Ring and as the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, has been revealed.
According to People, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as the cause of death of the 35-year-old actress. The official report also listed chronic polysubstance use as another significant condition that contributed to her death.
The report said Chase died in hospital and ruled her death as natural.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic polysubstance use involves taking more than one substance in a pattern that affects a person’s health and quality of life.
Entertainment outlet TMZ first reported Chase’s death on 17 June. At the time, her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told the outlet that she died after contracting meningitis and several serious blood infections.
While Chase was still receiving treatment, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign, saying her condition had become critical. He wrote that doctors had told him she did not have much time left.
Following her death, Chase’s former manager and longtime friend, John Ryan, urged fans not to contribute to the fundraiser.
In a statement to Deadline, Ryan claimed that Chase’s estate had sufficient funds to cover her cremation expenses. He also said Chase’s father, John Schwallier, had never authorised Hernandez to handle such matters.
“That GoFundMe is not going toward any expenses for Daveigh,” Ryan said. He added that Chase’s father, uncle and close friends had urged people not to donate. Ryan further alleged that Hernandez took Chase to hospital in critical condition but did not inform her family until after she died.
After achieving success as a child actress, Chase gradually withdrew from the spotlight and made her final red-carpet appearance in 2013. According to People, she later struggled with severe drug addiction and had been living in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area.
