Daveigh Chase, an actress who gained widespread recognition for her role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film "The Ring," has died at the age of 35. Her passing and the circumstances surrounding it have drawn public attention, particularly after Los Angeles political figure Spencer Pratt weighed in with critical comments regarding the system's failure to address her struggles.
"This poor beautiful girl is dead because nobody was willing to drag her to rehab against her will." — Spencer Pratt, Former Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate
Medical officials in Los Angeles have confirmed the details of Chase's death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office concluded that she succumbed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the advanced stage of HIV infection. Investigators also identified chronic polysubstance abuse as a significant contributing factor, though her manner of death was officially classified as natural causes. These findings follow a period of escalating health issues for Chase, which her partner, Roy Hernandez, publicly detailed. Hernandez stated that Chase endured a severe medical ordeal that included meningitis, a dangerous blood infection, and sepsis before her death. Records indicate she was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital in early June, marking the onset of a health crisis that Hernandez attempted to fund through crowdfunding initiatives, including multiple GoFundMe pages.
News of Chase's death resurfaced this week when Spencer Pratt, a 42-year-old reality television personality and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, posted a pointed message on social media platform X. Pratt referenced a report indicating Chase had been living on Skid Row in the months leading up to her death. His post stated, "This poor beautiful girl is dead because nobody was willing to drag her to rehab against her will." The Daily Mail attempted to contact Pratt's representatives for further comment on his remarks, but no response was provided as of publication.
Chase's career began in childhood, with her breakthrough in "The Ring" making her a recognizable figure. Her filmography also included voice work in "Lilo & Stitch" and appearances in television series such as "Donnie Darko," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "ER," and "Big Love." By 2013, Chase began to withdraw from public life, with her final known public appearance at a Vogue-hosted dinner that April. Her social media activity ceased after a final post in 2017.
The year 2017 also marked a period of legal challenges for Chase. She was arrested in Los Angeles in connection with allegedly joyriding a stolen vehicle. Later that same year, authorities questioned her after she reportedly left an unconscious man outside a hospital and drove away. The man subsequently died of a drug overdose. Roy Hernandez has since disclosed that he and Chase experienced homelessness together for several years prior to her death. He also revealed a strained relationship between Chase and her family during this difficult period. In a fundraising appeal, Hernandez described Chase as "a light in my life" but acknowledged that "behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship."
Pratt's comments on Chase's death come shortly after his recent defeat in the Los Angeles mayoral race. His foray into politics was reportedly motivated by a personal catastrophe: the loss of his $3 million home in a Palisades wildfire the previous year. This event spurred him to publicly criticize city leadership and ultimately prompted his mayoral campaign. During the race, Pratt briefly held second place before Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman surpassed him. The Associated Press confirmed Raman secured a spot in the November runoff election against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, thereby ending Pratt’s campaign. California election law mandates that the top two finishers advance to a runoff regardless of party affiliation.
Pratt, known for his role on the reality series "The Hills," ran an aggressive campaign focused on addressing the city’s homelessness epidemic and what he characterized as failures in city management, particularly regarding wildfire response. His campaign utilized AI-generated videos by supporters and professionally produced advertisements. Several notable figures from the entertainment industry publicly endorsed Pratt, including actor Kelsey Grammer, who told Fox News Digital, "He’s the only guy that’s a real option." Actor Dennis Quaid also offered enthusiastic backing, asking Fox News, "Why? What are you talking about? Why? Just look around, man." Singer Katharine McPhee and producer David Foster hosted a fundraising event for Pratt's campaign earlier this year.
