Three days after the death of 35-year-old actress Daveigh Chase, her mother, Cathy Chase, has publicly addressed the tragedy. Best known for her early 2000s roles in The Ring and as the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, the actress passed away on June 16 from septic shock and meningitis complications.
In a public statement released on Friday, Cathy Chase detailed the severe addiction struggles her daughter faced in the years leading up to her death. Following a withdrawal from acting around 2016, Chase experienced prolonged periods of addiction and homelessness near downtown Los Angeles.
The grieving process has been complicated by an unauthorized fundraising effort. Following her passing, a GoFundMe campaign was launched by Roy Hernandez, a man who claimed to have been living with the former actress in a recreational vehicle. Cathy Chase verified her daughter’s history of substance abuse when discussing her tragic final years, according to an E! Online report detailing the family’s statements.
Chase’s former manager, John Ryan, has publicly urged fans not to donate to the online fundraiser. Ryan stated that the actress’s estate possesses sufficient funds to cover cremation and end-of-life costs. He also accused Hernandez of exploiting the tragedy and isolating Chase from her relatives, further escalating the disputed financial campaign that emerged following her death. Chase had completely withdrawn from the public eye after a highly successful early career, facing a series of legal issues and arrests between 2017 and 2018 before her eventual passing.