Daveigh Chase’s father says the late actress stays “continually” on his mind as he marks what would have been her thirty sixth birthday. John Schwallier reflected on his daughter’s life roughly one 12 months after the previous child star died at 35. While the years preceding Chase’s death were marked by estrangement, addiction, and homelessness, her father said he continues fascinated by her day-after-day. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner listed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as Chase’s reason for death, with chronic polysubstance use identified as a big contributing condition.
Schwallier reached out to the Every day Mail to acknowledge that his daughter would have turned 36 on Friday, July 24. “Day-after-day I’m fascinated by her continually,” he said.
Chase’s father also lamented how few personal photographs he has of the actress following years of estrangement. “The sad part is the one pictures I actually have of [Daveigh] is what I’ve printed on the web, since her mother kept me away from her,” he claimed. Chase’s mother, Cathy Chase, has not responded to that allegation.
Despite the family conflict surrounding his daughter’s final years, Schwallier wanted the main target of his message to stay on Chase. “She was taken from this life way too early,” he said. “I just wish to wish her a comfortable birthday today and [tell her] that she is on my mind day-after-day.”
John Schwallier Recounts His Final Words To His Daughter
Schwallier was in Las Vegas on June 16, 2025, when he received a call informing him that Chase was experiencing a medical emergency. Roy Hernandez, a person who identified himself as Chase’s boyfriend, allegedly told him that the actress was moving out and in of consciousness. Hernandez reportedly put the phone on speaker in order that Schwallier could speak to his daughter.
“I just told her I really like her and that I’ve been searching for you. I told her, ‘I actually have a spot to take you for those who make it out of the hospital,’” Schwallier recalled. “I said, ‘I’m on my way, I will likely be there in three or 4 hours.’ I made it to the hospital in about two and a half.”
When Schwallier arrived on the Los Angeles hospital, he said he was devastated by his daughter’s physical condition. “She must’ve weighed 65 kilos and looked even worse than that video going around,” he claimed. “I touched her thigh above her knee, and it was just bone.”
Her Father Hopes The Tragedy Raises Awareness
Although Schwallier stays devastated by his daughter’s death, he said he hopes the medical expert’s findings can encourage greater awareness surrounding HIV and AIDS. He previously admitted that he was not surprised when he learned the official cause. “I’m not surprised,” he said quietly.
Schwallier said Chase had grow to be so emaciated that he initially struggled to consider the girl within the hospital was his daughter. “I used to be beside myself at first once I finally saw her,” he recalled. “I believed they were hustling me at first.” “I didn’t think it was my daughter.”
Deaths related to AIDS have declined significantly worldwide since their peak within the early 2000s. Nevertheless, the fabric provided notes that some countries and regions have experienced increases in HIV infections or AIDS deaths in more moderen years.
Daveigh Chase’s Mother Also Spent Years Searching
Cathy has offered her own account of desperately looking for her daughter after losing contact. She said she often checked Google and Reddit for any indication of where Chase is perhaps. Cathy and her younger son also reportedly drove through parts of Los Angeles and visited homeless encampments while following possible leads.
“It upsets me because persons are saying I have to’ve been a foul mother, but I never gave up on her,” Cathy said. “As a mother, you don’t surrender in your child. I used to be hoping she would still come home.”
Cathy believes Chase’s struggles with addiction began after a motorbike accident around 2016. The actress reportedly injured her back and was prescribed pain medication. “She was in search of drugs and was partying with the flawed people. I never kicked my daughter out. She wanted freedom and these people got her hooked on some drugs. That was the start,” Cathy claimed.
‘The Ring’ Star Became A Hollywood Child Prodigy
Chase began appearing in commercials at 3 years old before moving into major film and tv roles. Her big break arrived in 2002 when she voiced Lilo in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch.” Her performance earned a Young Artist Award for best voice-over work within the pre-teen category. Chase later reprised the role in “Stitch! The Movie” and the animated television series.
She became equally recognizable for portraying Samara in “The Ring” alongside Naomi Watts. Her terrifying performance because the long-haired girl behind the cursed videotape earned her an MTV Movie Award for best villain in 2003. Chase also appeared in “Donnie Darko” and later played Rhonda Volmer across 32 episodes of HBO’s “Big Love.”