Daveigh Chase's father pays tribute on late star's 36th birthday
Daveigh Chase's father has paid tribute to the late actress on what would have been her 36th birthday, just over one month after her death from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with a secondary cause of "chronic polysubstance use".
Daveigh Chase's father has paid tribute to the late actress on what would have been her 36th birthday.
The Lilo and Stitch voice actress, who also appeared as Samara in horror classic The Ring, died on June 16, from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with a secondary cause of "chronic polysubstance use".
Speaking to the Daily Mail about Daveigh’s birthday on Friday (07.24.26), John Schwallier said: “Every day I am thinking about her constantly.
“She was taken from this life way too early. I just want to wish her a happy birthday today and [tell her] that she is on my mind every day.”
Mr. Schwallier added that his daughter has been on his mind “constantly” since her untimely death.
A Los Angeles medical examiner's report released last month detailed Daveigh’s cause of death as AIDS and "chronic polysubstance use".
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the latter is defined as "using more than one substance and following a pattern of use that affects your health and quality of life".
Elsewhere in the medical report, it was revealed Chase died in hospital, with her death ruled as natural.
Her father John Schwallier had previously believed her death was caused by complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection.
He told the New York Times that she had been homeless and living in LA with her boyfriend, close to the hospital where she died.
He also added that Chase had struggled with drugs since she was 13, while they hadn't spoken since she was 19, around the same time she fell out with her mother.
After Chase died, her boyfriend Roy Hernandez spoke to TMZ and echoed Schwallier's comments, claiming she passed away after contracting meningitis and "several serious blood infections".
He had set up a GoFundMe during her treatment, noting that her "condition has become critical".
Hernandez wrote: "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.
"When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”
After Chase passed away, her former manager and longtime friend John Ryan urged fans not to donate to the fundraiser.
He told Deadline in a statement: "That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh.
"Myself, her father, her uncle and all of us close friends who knew her for decades are encouraging people not to donate to this page.
"This man making these claims brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn’t let any of the family know until she passed so he can control the dialogue.
"Daveigh’s actual family is handling all arrangements, we have contacted GoFundMe to let them know this man started this page on his own under Daveigh's name when she was already unresponsive and urging people to report the page and not donate.”
Ryan branded the GoFundMe as "disgusting", insisting there "are not medical bills to be paid or funeral expenses".
He added: "Myself and the family are handling all of those costs. As far as I’m concerned with the condition this man brought her to the hospital, he should be in jail.
"Myself and the family are sickened at the condition she was in before she passed. This guy’s trying to make it look like a Romeo and Juliet situation to benefit his own pockets.”
In response, Hernandez has told TMZ that any suggestions the GoFundMe isn't legitimate are "100 per cent" false.
Chase last appeared on screen in the thriller film American Romance in 2016, the same year she had a voice cred for video game Let It Die.
Other credits included Donnie Darko, Big Love, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Mercy, and the English dub of Spirited Away.
