Daveigh Chase’s death certificate paints new haunting details about the actress’ deteriorating health amid her AIDs battle.
While Chase’s immediate cause of death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the certificate exclusively obtained by Us Weekly lists chronic polysubstance use as underlying condition that contributed to her passing.
The death certificate also shows she was cremated on July 10, and her remains are with her mother, Cathy. The document also confirms what the Los Angeles Medical Examiner already told Us — The Ring actress passed away in a hospital and the manner of death was natural.
Chase died on June 16 at age 35.
At the time, her alleged boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed her death to TMZ, telling the outlet that Chase had been battling meningitis and an infection in her blood that led to sepsis. (Sepsis is described as a life-threatening reaction to an infection that causes your immune system to harm healthy tissues and organs, per Cleveland Clinic.)
Ahead of Chase’s death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign and revealed her health issues.
“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,” he noted in the fundraiser’s description. “After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown L.A. 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 stated that Chase was “recently” diagnosed with meningitis and had “several serious blood infections.”
“Her condition has become critical,” he wrote, adding that doctors had allegedly warned him “she may not have much time left.”
“All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days,” he continued. “I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything. And if you can only give a prayer, I will take that too. Thank you for considering helping us during this difficult time.”
After Chase’s death, her former manager, John Ryan, expressed concern about the validity of Hernandez’s fundraiser.
“A man claiming to be Daveigh’s boyfriend has launched a GoFundMe page purportedly on behalf of Daveigh and her family,” Ryan told TMZ on June 18. “Neither her family nor her close friends know who this person is.”
Hernandez later fired back, claiming it was “100 percent” false to allege that the GoFundMe campaign was not legitimate and revealing he planned to use the funds to pay for her funeral.
Chase’s parents have also broken their silence about her death.
Her estranged father, John Schwallier, who hadn’t seen her since about age 6, told The California Post that her death “doesn’t surprise” him and “it’s something you sometimes have to expect with the lifestyle she was living.”
Chase’s mom, Cathy, expressed intense sorrow.
“I was devastated. 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,” Cathy told Daily Mail. “I let out this guttural scream and I just was running, and these weird sounds were coming out of me, like, primeval sounds. 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.”
According to Cathy, Chase allegedly struggled with substance abuse issues after injuring her back in a 2016 motorcycle accident.
Cathy said the last time she saw her daughter was in 2019, and Chase was “completely gone, like, out of her mind.”
She added: “My daughter was never diagnosed with mental health other than PTSD, but the drugs took hold of her.”
Chase was known for her roles as a child actress in films such as 2001’s Donnie Darko, 2002’s Lilo & Stitch and 2002’s The Ring. She also starred on the HBO series Big Love from 2006 to 2011. She made her final onscreen appearance in the 2016 movie American Romance.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
