Daveigh Chase, the former child star who chilled audiences as the ghostly girl crawling out of a television in “The Ring” and gave voice to the lovable outcast Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch,” died of AIDS, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.

What the Medical Examiner Found

The medical examiner’s report stated that Chase, 35, died at a hospital on June 16. It listed AIDS, which is caused by HIV, as the cause of death, and named chronic polysubstance use, the practice of using more than one drug or substance at the same time or within a short window, as a significant contributing condition.

The official findings filled in a picture that had initially been described differently by her family. Shortly after her death, Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, told the New York Times that his daughter had died from complications related to bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. He also shared that Chase had struggled with drug addiction and had been homeless in the period before she died.

A Career That Began Early

Chase got her start in Hollywood in the late 1990s, landing minor roles in a string of popular television series. Audiences may recall her early appearances in shows like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Charmed,” and “ER,” which helped establish her as a working young actor.

As the new century began, she stepped into roles that would define her legacy. In the 2001 cult classic “Donnie Darko,” she played Samantha, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s title character, contributing to a film that has endured as a favorite among devoted fans.

Two Iconic Roles in One Year

The year 2001 proved especially pivotal. In the same stretch that she voiced Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch,” bringing warmth and personality to one of Disney’s most endearing characters, Chase also took on a role at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum: the terrifying ghost girl Samara Morgan in the horror film “The Ring.”

Her performance as Samara left a lasting mark on the genre. Speaking to The Times in 2002, Chase explained how she crafted the character, saying she took her own voice and put a freaky twist on it to create the unsettling effect. The role resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning her the award for best villain at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

A Lasting Legacy

Chase’s body of work captured a rare range for a young performer, spanning a heartfelt animated heroine and one of cinema’s most memorable horror figures within the same period of her career. Those dual roles ensured her place in the memories of a generation of moviegoers who grew up with both the tenderness of Lilo and the dread of Samara.

Her death at 35 marks a sad and early end for an actor who left an outsized imprint on early-2000s film and television. As fans remember her, they are left with the work she created, performances that continue to move and unsettle audiences more than two decades after they first appeared on screen.

This article touches on addiction, homelessness, and a serious health condition, which may be difficult subjects for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, reaching out to a medical professional or support service can be an important first step toward help.