Overview
- The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released records that identify acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, as the primary cause of death for Daveigh Chase and list chronic polysubstance use as a significant contributing condition.
- The report says Chase died in hospital on June 16 and records the manner of death as natural, while noting the case remains open and it does not name specific substances.
- Earlier public accounts from a man identifying himself as Chase’s boyfriend said she had meningitis, sepsis and malnutrition and he launched a GoFundMe; Chase’s family and her former manager have publicly disputed some of those claims and the fundraiser’s necessity.
- Reporting by relatives, former managers and acquaintances traces a long period of health and legal problems after Chase largely left acting around 2016, including struggles with addiction, arrests and reported episodes of homelessness.
- The coroner’s finding places Chase’s death in the medical context of HIV progressing to AIDS and the role substance use can play in worsening health, and it may prompt further inquiries as the open case and unanswered questions about her final months are reviewed.