Daveigh Chase leaves behind $400K estate after child star died without a will

A Los Angeles court will decide on August 12 whether Daveigh Chase's mother, Cathy Chase, can manage her late daughter's estate
Daveigh Chase, who died at 35 on June 16, reportedly left behind a $400,000 estate but no will, leaving it without a designated legal heir (Getty Images)
Daveigh Chase, who died at 35 on June 16, reportedly left behind a $400,000 estate but no will, leaving it without a designated legal heir (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nearly a month after Daveigh Chase’s untimely death, it has been revealed that she left behind an estate worth $400,000. However, the child actress reportedly did not leave a will, leaving her estate without a designated legal heir.

'The Ring' star was just 35 when she died of AIDS on June 16.

Daveigh Chase's mother seeks estate control

Daveigh Chase arrives to the launch of Afro Samurai, the new video game developed by SURGE, at Geisha House in Hollywood on January 27, 2009 (Polk Imaging/FilmMagic)
Daveigh Chase arrives to the launch of Afro Samurai, the new video game developed by SURGE, at Geisha House in Hollywood on January 27, 2009 (Polk Imaging/FilmMagic)

Daveigh's mother, Cathy Chase, has reportedly filed a petition with the court seeking to be appointed administrator of her daughter's estate. The petition was filed on July 8.

According to the filing, Cathy also requested to be appointed as the personal representative of the estate under California’s Independent Administration of Estates Act and asked the court to approve a $400,000 bond.

Daveigh Chase estate hearing set for August

A decision on the petition is expected after a probate hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 12.

A separate court filing also revealed that Cathy has requested authority to perform duties such as protecting estate assets, notifying creditors, filing an inventory of the estate with the court, and maintaining financial records once she is appointed administrator.

Actress Daveigh Chase attends the NYLON Magazine Music Issue Launch Party at The Roxy Theatre on May 30, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)
Actress Daveigh Chase attends the NYLON Magazine Music Issue Launch Party at The Roxy Theatre on May 30, 2012 in West Hollywood, California (Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

Daveigh Chase battled addiction before death

The latest update comes after earlier reports claimed that Daveigh was homeless at the time of her death and had been struggling with addiction.

According to her mother, Daveigh’s addiction began after she was prescribed medication following a motorcycle accident in 2016.

Cathy also asserted that “it upsets me because people are saying I must’ve been a bad mother, but I never gave up on her. As a mother, you don’t give up on your child. I was hoping she would still come home.”

Daveigh Chase attends HBO's
Daveigh Chase attends HBO's 'Big Love' Season 5 Party at Directors Guild Of America on January 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California (Craig Barritt/WireImage)

“I tried desperately to try to get [Daveigh] help, but you can’t legally force someone who doesn’t want that help. She was completely gone, like, out of her mind. The substances took hold of her,” she added.

Daveigh Chase's ex-manager slams GoFundMe

Meanwhile, after news of Daveigh’s death broke, a GoFundMe campaign surfaced that was reportedly launched by her alleged boyfriend, Roy Hernandez.

He wrote, “Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ and ‘Donnie Darko.’ But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship.”

“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,” Hernandez added.

However, Daveigh’s former manager, John Ryan, criticized both Hernandez and the fundraising campaign.

Daveigh Chase arrives at the official launch party for the most anticipated video game of the year, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, at the Belasco Theatre on November 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California (Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Bethesda)
Daveigh Chase arrives at the official launch party for the most anticipated video game of the year, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, at the Belasco Theatre on November 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California (Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Bethesda)

Ryan told The New York Post, “Apparently, a man claiming to be her ‘boyfriend’ that none of us friends or her family has heard of has set up a GoFundMe on ‘her and her families behalf’ that he set her up as the organizer.”

“I can confirm Daveigh has a trust account set up at SAG to cover all costs,” he added.

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