Child star Daveigh Chase died of AIDS at 35 — new details surrounding cause of death emerge

The tragic cause of death for former child star Daveigh Chase has been revealed.

The actress’ death was announced on June 16. She was 36 and had been living out of the public eye for the better part of a decade.

Daveigh Chase’s official cause of death

Per the Los Angeles County’s Medical Examiner, it has been confirmed that the actress died of “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome,” aka AIDS.

“Chronic Polysubstance Use” was listed as a secondary cause, which can usually indicate a battle with substance abuse or, in some cases, an intentional overdose.

Per the report, the case status remains “Open” and her body has not yet been brought in. She was also listed by her birth name, “Daveigh Schwallier.”

Daveigh’s previously revealed health issues

When her death was announced, her father John David Schwallier previously told the New York Times that she had died from “complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection,” and was homeless and living with her boyfriend in Los Angeles near the hospital.

Her boyfriend Roy Hernandez told TMZ that she had contracted sepsis due to “several serious blood infections.” He started a GoFundMe page to care for her during her final days.

© GoFundMe

“Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections,” he’d written at the time, although his request for funds was later questioned by her former manager. “Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left.”

Lilo & Stitch star’s successful career

After her breakout role in the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko, and lending her voice to Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away that same year, Daveigh experienced major box office success when she was cast as the iconic Samara in the 2002 horror film The Ring.

© Dreamworks

That was followed by her being cast as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch in 2002, which was another huge success. She voiced the character for several more projects in the franchise. As she grew older, she transitioned to more mature roles such as in the show Big Love from 2006 to 2011 and her final film roles in 2016’s Jack Goes Home and American Romance.

Daveigh’s difficult final years

Per Daveigh’s estranged parents, she had developed substance abuse issues by 2015, during which she slowly bowed out of the entertainment industry. She exited the public eye altogether by the following year, and then became estranged from most of her family and friends.

© Getty Images

Her father told NYT that she had struggled with addiction when she was just 13, falling out with her mother at 19, which was the last time he’d spoken with her. Daveigh then struggled with homelessness and illness, and was reportedly living near Skid Row in LA at the time of her death.