The death of former child actress Daveigh Chase in June 2026 left fans around the world mourning the loss of a performer whose work had touched millions. Best known for voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, playing Samara in The Ring, and voicing Chihiro in the English version of Spirited Away, Chase had largely stepped away from public life in recent years.
Following news of her passing, many people began searching for information about her personal relationships, particularly her boyfriend. Public reports identified Roy Hernandez as the person who stood beside her during the final chapter of her life.
Here’s what is publicly known about their relationship and the events that followed her passing.
Who Was Daveigh Chase’s Boyfriend?
According to publicly available reports at the time of her death, Roy Hernandez was Daveigh Chase’s boyfriend.
Unlike Chase, Hernandez lived almost entirely outside the entertainment spotlight. Throughout their relationship, the couple kept their private life away from public attention, rarely appearing together in the media or discussing their relationship publicly.
Because Daveigh Chase had withdrawn from Hollywood years earlier, very little information about her personal life surfaced before her death.
A Relationship Kept Out of the Spotlight
Daveigh Chase was known for maintaining an exceptionally private lifestyle after stepping away from acting.
While she achieved worldwide recognition as a child performer, she chose not to share much about her relationships through interviews or social media.
Roy Hernandez also maintained a low public profile, making their relationship largely unknown to fans until reports emerged following Chase’s final illness.
Their decision to keep their personal lives private reflected the way Chase had lived during her later years, away from constant public attention.
His Support During Her Health Struggles
As Daveigh Chase’s health reportedly declined, Roy Hernandez became one of the people actively trying to help her.
Public statements indicated that he remained close to her while she faced serious medical complications and personal hardships.
After her passing, Hernandez described wanting to provide Chase with a safe, peaceful, and supportive environment during an incredibly difficult period in her life.
His comments suggested he had made a personal commitment to stand by her despite the challenges she was experiencing.
The GoFundMe Campaign
Shortly before Daveigh Chase’s death, Roy Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking financial assistance.
According to the campaign description, the fundraiser was intended to help provide comfort, medical support, and stability as Chase’s condition worsened.
In the message, Hernandez wrote emotionally about wanting to protect her and fulfill a promise to create a loving and secure environment after years of personal difficulties.
The fundraiser quickly attracted public attention because many fans had been unaware of the severity of Chase’s condition.
Confirming Her Passing
Following Daveigh Chase’s death on June 16, 2026, Roy Hernandez became one of the first people to publicly discuss the circumstances.
He informed media outlets that Chase had died after suffering serious complications related to meningitis and severe blood infections.
His statements provided some of the earliest publicly available details regarding her final illness before official medical findings were released.
As additional information became available, authorities later confirmed the medical causes associated with her death.
Disagreement Over the Fundraiser
Although many supporters responded sympathetically to the GoFundMe campaign, it also became the subject of public disagreement.
Daveigh Chase’s family members and longtime manager, John Ryan, questioned the need for the fundraiser after her death.
They publicly stated that the family had sufficient financial resources to cover medical expenses and funeral arrangements without outside donations.
Those comments led to differing public perspectives regarding the purpose of the fundraising effort.
The disagreement remained focused on the necessity of the campaign rather than changing the broader public sympathy surrounding Chase’s passing.
Daveigh Chase’s Last Years
In the years leading up to her death, Daveigh Chase lived largely outside public view.
Once considered one of Hollywood’s most recognizable child performers, she gradually withdrew from acting and public appearances.
Reports published after her death described significant personal and health challenges during her later years, bringing renewed attention to the difficulties many former child actors experience after leaving the spotlight.
Her relationship with Roy Hernandez became publicly known primarily because of his efforts to support her during this difficult period.
Remembering Her Career
Although recent discussions have focused on her personal life, Daveigh Chase remains best remembered for her remarkable acting achievements.
She introduced audiences to the spirited and unforgettable Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, voiced Chihiro in the acclaimed English-language version of Spirited Away, and delivered one of horror cinema’s most memorable performances as Samara Morgan in The Ring.
Those roles continue to reach new generations of viewers and remain the foundation of her legacy.
Public Interest in Her Personal Life
Following the deaths of well-known entertainers, public curiosity often extends beyond their careers to the people closest to them.
In Daveigh Chase’s case, Roy Hernandez attracted attention because he appeared to have been one of the individuals most directly involved during her final weeks.
Despite the increased interest, much of their relationship remained private, reflecting the couple’s preference to keep their personal lives away from media attention.
Only limited verified information has been shared publicly, and many aspects of their relationship remain known only to those closest to them.
Final Thoughts
At the time of her death, Roy Hernandez was publicly identified as Daveigh Chase’s boyfriend and one of the people supporting her through her final health struggles. His GoFundMe campaign and subsequent public statements brought him into the spotlight during an incredibly emotional period.
The fundraising effort later became the subject of disagreement with Chase’s family and longtime manager, illustrating the complexities that can arise following the loss of a public figure. Regardless of those differences, Hernandez’s comments consistently emphasized his desire to care for and protect Daveigh during the final stage of her life.
As fans continue to remember Daveigh Chase, her lasting legacy remains rooted in the unforgettable characters she portrayed. While her personal life was intentionally kept private, the support she received from those closest to her—including Roy Hernandez—formed an important part of her story during her final days.