“She Was Found Alone in the Back Seat of a Car”: Daveigh Chase’s Final 12 Days Revealed in Heartbreaking Autopsy Report — Former Disney Star Dies at Just 35

Millions of people remember Daveigh Chase as the unforgettable voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and the terrifying young girl in The Ring. At the height of her childhood fame, she appeared to have a remarkable Hollywood future ahead of her. But the final chapter of her life unfolded far from movie premieres and red carpets. On June 4, 2026, the 35-year-old actress was discovered in the back seat of a vehicle in Los Angeles, weak, confused and suffering from several painful symptoms. A stranger called for help. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where doctors uncovered a series of serious medical conditions. Twelve days later, Chase was gone. Now, a newly released autopsy report has revealed what happened during those final days — and the findings have brought renewed attention to the struggles she faced after leaving the spotlight.

LOS ANGELES — November 11, 2026 — New details about the final days of former child actress Daveigh Chase have emerged following the release of her full autopsy report by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring, died on June 16, 2026, at age 35.

Her death was previously attributed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS.

But the detailed report, obtained by Page Six, People and Entertainment Weekly on November 10, provides a more complete account of the circumstances leading to her final hospitalization.

According to the medical examiner, Chase had been found in the back seat of a vehicle on June 4.

She was experiencing headaches, weakness, confusion and pain in her right thumb.

Emergency responders transported her to Los Angeles General Medical Center.

Doctors discovered advanced HIV/AIDS, significant weight loss and several serious infections.

Her condition continued to deteriorate despite hospitalization.

Twelve days later, she died.

The medical examiner determined that AIDS caused her death, with chronic polysubstance use identified as another significant condition.

Her manner of death was classified as natural.

The Disturbing Discovery on June 4

The new medical examiner’s report begins nearly two weeks before Chase’s death.

On June 4, someone discovered the actress in the back seat of a vehicle in Los Angeles.

The individual’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.

According to the report, Chase complained of a headache and weakness.

She also appeared confused.

Another symptom involved pain in her right thumb.

The report noted that a pipe associated with methamphetamine use was located nearby.

The person who found Chase contacted emergency services.

Paramedics responded and transported her to the hospital.

Although reports have focused heavily on the circumstances in which she was discovered, the official records do not establish exactly how long she had been inside the vehicle.

They also do not explain where she had been staying immediately before the emergency call.

What is confirmed is that she was seriously ill when medical assistance arrived.

Doctors Discover Multiple Serious Conditions

At Los Angeles General Medical Center, doctors began evaluating Chase’s condition.

Their findings revealed several significant health problems.

The medical examiner’s report described advanced HIV/AIDS accompanied by wasting, a condition involving substantial involuntary weight loss.

Doctors also identified cryptococcosis, a fungal infection that can become particularly dangerous in people with weakened immune systems.

The report specified that the infection was present without meningitis.

Another diagnosis involved MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection.

Chase also had an infection affecting her right thumb.

These conditions placed additional strain on a body already struggling with severe immune system damage.

The report noted a history of advanced, untreated HIV/AIDS.

However, it did not provide a complete public record of her earlier medical care.

It would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about when she acquired HIV or why she was not receiving effective treatment.

What the Toxicology Results Revealed

The medical examiner’s investigation included toxicology testing.

Those tests detected methamphetamine and fentanyl in Chase’s system.

The findings attracted attention because of reports that she had struggled with substance use during the later years of her life.

However, the distinction between detecting a substance and determining a cause of death is important.

The medical examiner did not classify Chase’s death as an accidental overdose.

Instead, the official cause was AIDS.

Chronic polysubstance use was listed as another significant condition that contributed to her health problems.

The report therefore describes a complex medical situation rather than a death attributed solely to one substance.

For Chase’s family and those who followed her career, the findings offer a clearer explanation of the serious illness she was experiencing.

They also underscore that addiction and chronic disease can coexist, creating challenges that require medical care and sustained support.

Twelve Days in the Hospital

Chase remained at Los Angeles General Medical Center after her June 4 admission.

Her medical condition was severe.

Doctors were dealing with multiple infections and advanced immune system damage.

According to the report, her health continued declining throughout her hospitalization.

On June 16, Chase died at age 35.

The document does not publicly describe every medical intervention or conversation that took place during those 12 days.

Nor does it establish who was present with her when she died.

Some headlines have referred to her final moments, but the released details primarily concern her last hospitalization and the medical findings surrounding it.

The available evidence does not support inventing a final conversation, farewell or emotional scene.

What the report establishes is that she received hospital care during the final 12 days of her life and that her condition worsened until her death.

Her Official Cause of Death

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner first made Chase’s cause of death public in late June.

It listed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The newly released full report adds information about her symptoms, hospitalization and accompanying medical conditions.

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Without effective treatment, HIV can severely weaken the immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to infections that their body might otherwise control.

Modern antiretroviral treatment can allow many people living with HIV to have long, healthy lives.

It also prevents the progression to AIDS when treatment is effective and maintained.

Chase’s medical history, as described in the report, involved advanced untreated disease and serious accompanying infections.

The findings should not be interpreted as suggesting that an HIV diagnosis inevitably leads to the same outcome.

Her case reflects a particular set of medical and personal circumstances.

From Disney’s Lilo to Hollywood Stardom

For audiences who grew up in the early 2000s, Daveigh Chase’s voice is immediately recognizable.

She provided the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.

The animated film told the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl who befriends a mischievous alien and discovers the meaning of family.

Lilo became one of Disney’s most beloved young characters.

Her unusual personality, fierce loyalty and emotional vulnerability helped make the film memorable.

Chase’s performance was an important part of that success.

She brought energy and personality to a character who was funny, stubborn and deeply human.

The movie developed a lasting following, and its themes of belonging and family connection continued resonating with viewers long after its original release.

For many fans, learning of Chase’s death brought back memories of the character she helped bring to life.

The Role That Made Her a Horror Icon

The same year Lilo & Stitch was released, Chase appeared in another film that became a major part of her legacy.

In The Ring, she portrayed Samara Morgan.

The unsettling character was central to the supernatural horror story.

Chase’s performance helped create some of the film’s most memorable scenes.

She earned the Best Villain award at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

It was an unusual achievement for a young performer.

Within a short period, Chase had become associated with two dramatically different characters.

One was a spirited Disney heroine.

The other was a terrifying presence in a major horror film.

The contrast demonstrated her range at a young age.

It also helped establish her as one of the most recognizable child performers of that era.

More Memorable Film and Television Roles

Chase’s acting career included several other notable projects.

She appeared as Samantha Darko in the 2001 film Donnie Darko, which later became a cult favorite.

She also voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away.

The Japanese film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Chase’s involvement connected her to another widely celebrated animated character.

On television, she portrayed Rhonda Volmer in HBO’s drama series Big Love.

Her performances attracted attention from audiences who remembered her earlier film roles.

But as she entered adulthood, her public appearances became less frequent.

Her final film credits included projects released in 2016.

Over time, she largely disappeared from the entertainment spotlight.

The Years When Friends Lost Contact

After Chase’s death, her former manager John Ryan Jr. spoke about attempts to locate and assist her.

Ryan told Entertainment Weekly that Chase had become difficult to contact after entering rehabilitation programs during the mid-2010s.

He said friends and relatives had tried to reconnect with her over the years.

At times, they were able to establish limited contact.

But those connections did not lead to lasting communication.

Ryan described Chase as a talented and deeply loved person.

He also expressed sadness about the difficulties she experienced during her later years.

His account provides one perspective on that period.

However, it does not establish every circumstance surrounding Chase’s decisions or relationships.

People struggling with addiction, unstable housing or serious illness may face complicated barriers to receiving consistent support.

Those circumstances should be discussed with care rather than reduced to simple judgments about personal choices.

Her Mother’s Account of Earlier Struggles

Chase’s mother, Cathy Chase, also spoke publicly following her daughter’s death.

She said Daveigh’s struggles with addiction worsened after a motorcycle accident in 2016.

According to her account, the accident caused a back injury.

Cathy said her daughter was prescribed pain medication afterward.

She believed that period contributed to a worsening substance-use problem.

Those statements describe her mother’s understanding of events.

The publicly available medical examiner’s report does not establish a direct causal connection between the motorcycle accident, prescribed medication and Chase’s later medical conditions.

It is therefore important to distinguish family recollections from official medical findings.

Cathy also said she had repeatedly tried to help her daughter.

The family’s statements suggest that Chase’s later years were marked by considerable difficulty and concern among those close to her.

Reports of Homelessness in Los Angeles

In the months surrounding Chase’s death, reports emerged that she had spent time living in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles.

Skid Row has a large population of people experiencing homelessness.

The area is also associated with significant challenges involving housing insecurity, poverty, health care access and substance use.

Footage published after Chase’s death appeared to show the former actress in a severely weakened condition.

The contrast between her childhood fame and her reported living circumstances attracted considerable public attention.

However, those images represented only fragments of her life.

They did not explain every decision, relationship or challenge she experienced.

The later release of her medical examiner’s report establishes serious physical illness but does not provide a complete account of her housing situation.

Her experiences should be understood as a complex human story rather than treated as a shocking contrast for entertainment.

A Fundraiser Sparks a Dispute

Before Chase’s death, a man named Roy Hernandez organized an online fundraiser.

He described himself as someone close to the actress and said he wanted to help provide comfort during her final days.

The campaign referenced the difficulties she had experienced after leaving Hollywood.

But Chase’s longtime manager publicly questioned Hernandez’s description of their relationship.

Ryan said friends and relatives had not known the man claiming to be her boyfriend.

He advised supporters against contributing to the fundraiser.

Ryan also said Chase had financial resources connected to her acting career, including a Screen Actors Guild trust account.

His claims about those resources were not independently established through publicly released financial records.

The disagreement created uncertainty about the fundraiser.

There is no basis in the reporting reviewed to conclude that the fundraiser was fraudulent or that the relationship claims were definitively false.

The competing accounts should remain attributed to the people who made them.

A Complicated Question About Her Estate

Following Chase’s death, her mother sought to administer her estate.

Reporting on the probate matter indicated that Chase had approximately $400,000 in personal property.

That figure attracted attention because of the reports about her unstable living circumstances.

Her former manager also made claims about residual payments that might have remained available to her.

However, financial assets do not necessarily establish what money a person could readily access during a health or housing crisis.

The publicly reported probate information does not explain all aspects of Chase’s finances.

Nor does it provide a complete answer to why she experienced such difficult circumstances.

The details remain separate from the official medical findings concerning her death.

The Legacy She Leaves Behind

Daveigh Chase’s career remains familiar to generations of moviegoers.

Her voice brought Lilo to life.

Her performance as Samara helped make The Ring a horror classic.

She contributed to the English-language release of Spirited Away.

And her television work introduced her to audiences through Big Love.

Those achievements were real and lasting.

They should not be overshadowed entirely by the circumstances of her death.

Chase was a performer whose work had a meaningful impact on popular culture.

She helped create characters that audiences continue watching and discussing decades later.

Her later struggles are also part of her story, but they do not define the whole of her life.

What the New Report Really Tells Us

The newly released autopsy report answers several important questions.

It establishes that Chase was found seriously ill on June 4, 2026.

It describes the symptoms that prompted emergency assistance.

It identifies advanced HIV/AIDS and multiple infections at the time of her hospital admission.

It confirms that toxicology testing detected methamphetamine and fentanyl.

And it records her death on June 16 after 12 days of declining health.

Most importantly, it confirms AIDS as the cause of death, with chronic polysubstance use listed as a contributing condition.

It does not establish an overdose as the cause.

It also does not explain every circumstance of her personal life or describe her final private conversations.

The medical report brings clarity to her final illness, but it cannot tell the complete story of the person she was.

Remembering Daveigh Chase Beyond Her Final Days

Daveigh Chase was only 35 when she died.

For many people, she will always be the voice of a little girl who believed that family meant nobody should be forgotten.

For others, she will remain the unforgettable face of one of the most frightening characters in modern horror cinema.

Her career brought entertainment and lasting memories to millions of viewers.

Her final years involved serious struggles, including illness and reported housing insecurity.

And her death has raised difficult questions about addiction, access to care and the challenges some former child performers face after leaving the industry.

But there is no single explanation that can capture an entire human life.

The actress whose characters became part of so many childhood memories spent her final 12 days receiving medical care for severe illness. On June 16, 2026, her life ended at 35.

The report released months later offers a clearer medical picture of what happened.

It also offers a reason to remember the person beyond the headlines.

Daveigh Chase was a daughter, an actress and a performer whose work continues to be enjoyed around the world.

Her final days were painful.

Her accomplishments remain.

And the characters she helped create will continue to be remembered.