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Liz Calvario
Senior Editor
Daveigh Chase, the actor known for her role in “The Ring” and voicing Lilo in the animated film “Lilo & Stitch,” died from AIDS, according to the medical examiner report.
Chase, whose given name was Daveigh Schwallier, died in a Los Angeles hospital on June 16 at the age of 35. Her father, John Schwallier, confirmed to NBC News that she was homeless and living near the Los Angeles General Medical Center, where she died.
While The New York Times reported that Chase was living with her boyfriend, Schwallier said in a text message to NBC News that it was unclear what the man’s relationship was to his daughter.
“I don’t know how much of a boyfriend he was to her,” he said in a text message. “I seen a video of her in September. I don’t know why he wasn’t getting her medical help then.”
Chase’s cause of death is listed as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report obtained by NBC News.
“Chronic polysubstance use” is also listed as a contributing factor. The report did not include what substances may have led to Chase’s death.
The manner is listed as natural. The case remains open.
Chase was a child actor, whose first commercial was for Campbell’s Soup at age 7, according to IMDB.
Her breakout role was voicing Lilo in the animated film “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as the “Lilo & Stitch: The Series, “Stitch: The Movie” and various video games and spinoffs.
She was also known for being the child ghost Samira in “The Ring,” Samantha Darko in “Donnie Darko,” Rhonda Volmer in “Big Love” and had roles in “Mercy,” “CSI,” “Touched By An Angel” and “Family Law,” among others.
Her final acting credits are listed as 2016’s “American Romance” and “Jack Goes Home.”
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by HIV, according to Clinicalinfo.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help fight infections, making the body vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers. If left untreated, it leads to AIDS.
Without medication, the lifespan of someone living with AIDS is about 3 years, HIV.gov reports. The time may be shorter depending on health factors.
Chronic polysubstance use is when more two or more drugs are taken together, either intentionally or unintentionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Intentional polysubstance happens when a person takes a drug to increase or decrease the effects of a different drug or wants to experience the effects of the combination, the CDC reports. When it happens unintentionally, the person consuming the drug does not know it has been mixed or cut with other substances.
Liz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based senior editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.
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