Daveigh Chase had ‘millions’ in unclaimed residuals amid addiction struggles, manager claims
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Daveigh Chase, the former child star who voiced Lilo, reportedly died with millions of dollars in residual payments left unclaimed. Chase passed away on Tuesday, June 16, in Los Angeles, at the age of 35, marking a tragic end to a life that once carried early fame and long-term financial ties to her work.
Years after stepping away from the spotlight, claims from her longtime manager suggest that substantial earnings linked to her early career remained uncollected. The manager says these payments accumulated over time while she faced personal struggles in later years.
As per reports, Chase stepped away from public life around 2016.
Daveigh Chase reportedly left behind millions in unclaimed residual earnings
Speaking to The California Post, Chase’s former manager, John Ryan, said the actor had accumulated "millions" of dollars in unpaid residuals over the years that were never collected.
Chase was just eight years old when she voiced Lilo in Disney’s 2002 film 'Lilo & Stitch'. Ryan said her contract was not a one-time payout arrangement, but one that included ongoing earnings from merchandise, theme park usage, and other licensing tied to her voice work.
Ryan, who worked with her for more than a decade, said he continued receiving SAG-AFTRA notices about royalty payments linked to her past work. He claimed that over time, she became "too far gone" to access the money herself as she struggled with addiction issues, despite repeated attempts to reach her.
According to him, these payments continued to build up over the years without being claimed. He also noted that in such cases, the remaining money can often be collected by a close family member after death, which could potentially include her father.
Daveigh Chase dies after severe infection and organ failure
Former child star Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch' and portraying Samara in 'The Ring', has died aged 35.
Former child star Daveigh Chase, best known as the voice of Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch' and Samara in 'The Ring', has died aged 35.
— The Project (@theprojecttv) June 18, 2026
Her boyfriend said she died after contracting meningitis and a blood infection that led to severe septic complications. pic.twitter.com/2OhzMEU2m3
Her boyfriend said she died after contracting meningitis and a blood infection that led to severe septic complications.
Chase died after suffering a severe bloodstream infection that developed into meningitis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure.
Her boyfriend said she became seriously ill shortly before her condition rapidly worsened. She had reportedly been hospitalized earlier in June due to severe malnutrition.
Ryan also said he and Chase’s step-sister, Gaia Brown, hired a private investigator after growing concerned about her safety and trying to locate her.
After a video of Chase surfaced on social media, Ryan said he went to Skid Row hoping to find her and get her into treatment, but she had already “disappeared.”