Daveigh Chase's father shares emotional 36th birthday tribute after tragic death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Daveigh Chase's father, John Schwallier, has reflected on the loss of his daughter as he marked what would have been the late actress' 36th birthday on Friday, July 24, remembering her life and recalling their final conversation.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Schwallier shared that Daveigh remains on his mind every day while also opening up about their strained relationship and her final moments. The actress, best known for voicing 'Lilo in Lilo & Stitch' and portraying Samara in 'The Ring', died on June 16.
John Schwallier reflects on daughter Daveigh Chase's death and ongoing family dispute
While speaking to the outlet by phone, Schwallier said he thinks about his daughter "constantly" following her death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that she died from a combination of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and polysubstance use disorder.
"Every day I am thinking about her constantly," he said after calling the publication to note that she would have turned 36. He also repeated claims he had previously made about his ex-wife, Cathy Chase, alleging that she prevented him from maintaining a relationship with their daughter.
According to Schwallier, the only photographs he has of Daveigh are ones he printed from the internet because, he claimed, her mother kept him away from her.
Schwallier further said he had still not received any of his daughter's remains following her cremation. "She was taken from this life way too early," he said, before adding that he simply wanted to wish her a happy birthday and let her know she remained on his mind every day.
He also expressed hope that news of Daveigh's cause of death could help raise awareness about her disease, noting that HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have been increasing in parts of the world.
Speaking previously from his home in the Philippines after learning of her cause of death, he admitted to being "not surprised." He recalled being shocked by her physical condition, explaining that she had become so emaciated he initially struggled to believe it was his daughter.
John Schwallier on daughter Daveigh Chase's final moments
The grieving father also indicated he was prepared to pursue legal action in Probate Court to obtain part of his daughter's ashes. He maintained that his fight was not about money but about wanting her remains, adding that Cathy could keep half of the ashes if she wished.
Schwallier, who has homes in Nevada but now lives in the Philippines with his current wife, also claimed he had been searching for his daughter for 13 years and had recently begun speaking with her friends to learn more about the life she lived.
He further claimed that if she had been with him, "she would not have turned out like this." He recalled being in Las Vegas on June 16, the day of his daughter's death, when he received a phone call from Roy Hernandez, a man who identified himself as Daveigh's boyfriend.
According to Schwallier, he told him she was drifting in and out of consciousness. He said he had not yet seen videos circulating online showing Daveigh in distress, but through Hernandez, Schwallier was able to speak to his daughter over speakerphone and shared what became his final words to her.
"I just told her I love her and that I've been looking for you. I told her, 'I have a place to take you if you make it out of the hospital,'" Schwallier recalled, adding, "I said, 'I'm on my way, I will be there in three or four hours.' I made it to the hospital in about two and a half."
