Former child star Daveigh Chase passed away on Tuesday, June 16, following a battle with meningitis and a blood infection that led to sepsis. The 35-year-old’s death was announced by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who set up a GoFundMe account in her honor asking for donations to help lay her to rest.
Daveigh’s former manager, John Ryan, has condemned Roy’s fundraising efforts in a statement to Deadline, claiming that her family had more than enough money to cover Daveigh’s funeral expenses. “Daveigh’s estate has plenty of means to pay for the cremation,” he told the outlet.
“That GoFundMe is not going toward ANY expenses for Daveigh. Myself, her father, her uncle and all of us close friends who knew her for decades are encouraging people not to donate to this page.”
He continued: “This man making these claims brought her into the hospital in terrible condition and didn’t let any of the family know until she passed so he can control the dialogue.” John claimed that Roy started the GoFundMe page when Daveigh was already unresponsive in the hospital.
“I find it disgusting that this man is using our friend’s tragic passing to get a few bucks for he and his family,” John said.
“As far as I’m concerned, with the condition this man brought her to the hospital, he should be in jail. Myself and the family are sickened at the condition she was in before she passed. This guy’s trying to make it look like a Romeo and Juliet situation to benefit his own pockets.”
© GoFundMeHe added that Daveigh was “the sweetest girl” who got “mixed up with the wrong crowd” before her passing. Roy defended himself against John’s claims, telling TMZ that the allegations of the GoFundMe being fake were “100 percent” false.
Daveigh shot to fame at the age of seven in the early ’00s after voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, and Chihiro Ogino in Spirited Away. She portrayed Samara in the classic horror flick The Ring, which earned her widespread acclaim. She also appeared in Donnie Darko, Oliver Beene, Big Love and ER.
© GoFundMeThe actress left Hollywood in 2017, with her final roles being in Jack Goes Home and American Romance the year prior. Roy claimed in the GoFundMe page that Daveigh had a falling out with her family and was down on her luck when they met.
© WireImage“After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. 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,” he wrote.
“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.”
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