‘Lilo & Stitch’ star Daveigh Chase's cause of death revealed days after she died at 35

Daveigh Chase died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to a Los Angeles medical examiner's report released after her death
Daveigh Chase's mother, Cathy Chase, said she initially thought reports of her daughter's death were fake before learning they were true, leaving her 'devastated' (Axel Koester/Corbis via Getty Images)
Daveigh Chase's mother, Cathy Chase, said she initially thought reports of her daughter's death were fake before learning they were true, leaving her 'devastated' (Axel Koester/Corbis via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Days after Daveigh Chase died on June 16, her cause of death has now been publicly revealed. She was 35 years old when she passed away.

According to a Los Angeles medical examiner's report, the ‘The Ring’ star died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Medical examiner reveals Daveigh Chase's cause of death

The report also listed “chronic polysubstance use” as a contributing factor in her death, while the manner of death was classified as natural.

Daveigh Chase attends Hyundai and The GRAMMY's
Daveigh Chase attends Hyundai and The GRAMMY's RE:GENERATION MUSIC PROJECT World Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on February 10, 2012 in Hollywood, California (Todd Williamson/WireImage)

This comes after Daveigh’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, initially said she had died from meningitis and a blood infection.

Daveigh Chase's mother details heartbreaking moment

Later, the late actress’ mother, Cathy Chase, opened up about her daughter’s untimely death.

She reportedly said, “I actually thought it was fake news, that first time I saw it, and then, but then all of a sudden, it's all of these different legitimate sites had her name and I realized that it wasn't fake.”

Daveigh had been out of contact with her family for years after struggling with addiction and homelessness. Following her death, her mother said she was “devastated,” explaining, “It felt like something inside of me squeezing all of the air out of me, and at the same time, it felt like I was exploding outwardly.” 

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)
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)

“I let out this guttural scream and I just was running. And these weird sounds were coming out of me, these kind of, like, primeval sounds. And I went out into the backyard, and I was screaming, ‘No, no, no, no!’ I am in so much pain but I hope her soul heard me,” Cathy added.

According to Daveigh’s mother, she was finally able to see her daughter on June 18 when she went to identify her body at the hospital. She was accompanied by a chaplain.

“We were able to lay hands and pray. Technically, we were touching the glass, but it's as close as we could get, so we were able to lay hands and pray for her. It was a beautiful experience, and I feel very blessed, too, to have been able to share that with my daughter,” she said.

Cathy Chase recalls Daveigh Chase's addiction battle

Cathy also revealed when she believes Daveigh's substance abuse began. According to her, after a 2016 motorcycle accident, Daveigh was prescribed strong painkillers, including oxycodone, which she believes marked the beginning of her addiction.

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)

She, however, asserted that she “never gave up on her. As a mother, you don't give up on your child. I was hoping she would still come home.”

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