Daveigh Chase's mom Cathy Chase detailed her daughter's struggles with addiction in the years leading up to her death. The Ring actress died June 16 at age 35.
Daveigh Chase's mother is speaking out after her daughter's tragic passing.
Three days after the Ring star died at 35, her mom Cathy Chase reacted to the news of Daveigh's death and detailed her daughter's struggles with addiction in recent years.
"I was devastated," Cathy recalled to the Daily Mail in an interview published June 19. "It felt like something inside of me squeezing all of the air out of me, and at the same time, it felt like I was exploding outwardly."
"I let out this guttural scream and I just was running," she continued. "And these weird sounds were coming out of me, these kind of, like, primeval sounds. And I went out into the backyard, and I was screaming, 'No, no, no, no!' I am in so much pain but I hope her soul heard me."
Yet, according to the former child star's mom, Daveigh had been struggling for many years, with her issues starting after she was prescribed painkillers, including oxycodone, for a back injury following a motorcycle accident in 2016.
"She was seeking drugs and was partying with the wrong people," Cathy said. "I never kicked my daughter out. She wanted freedom and these people got her hooked on some drugs. That was the beginning."
The Lilo & Stitch star's mom went on to detail the moment she last saw her daughter in 2019 when she visited her in jail, which was the latest of Daveigh's legal issues.
"She was completely gone, like, out of her mind," Cathy explained. "I honestly thought there was something wrong with her. My daughter was never diagnosed with mental health other than PTSD. But the drugs took hold of her."
According to Cathy, she and Daveigh agreed that once the Donnie Darko star was released from jail, she'd pick her up.
"But when I got there, she never waited," Cathy said. "She went back to the streets and I couldn't find her."
But Cathy didn't ever lose hope. As she put it, "It upsets me because people are saying I must've been a bad mother, but I never gave up on her. As a mother, you don't give up on your child. I was hoping she would still come home."
In the years since she last saw Daveigh, Cathy would regularly search for her daughter's name in the L.A. County Medical Examiner's system.
However, when Daveigh's boyfriend Roy Hernandez confirmed to TMZ that the Spirited Away voice actress passed away June 16 following a battle with meningitis and a blood infection, she initially thought it was "fake news."
"All of a sudden, it's all of these different legitimate sites had her name," she recalled, "and I realized that it wasn't fake."
After Cathy identified her daughter's body on June 18, she and a chaplain prayed over the remains.
"We were touching the glass, but it's as close as we could get so we were able to lay hands and pray for her," she said. "It was a beautiful experience and I feel very blessed, too, to have been able to share that with my daughter."
Read on to see more celebrities who have lost their lives this year.
The prolific television sitcom director died on June 19 at the age of 85, his family confirmed.
“He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered," they said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with Debbie, his children and grandchildren, his family, friends, collaborators, and all those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing."
The Ring and Lilo & Stitch star died on June 16 at age 35 following a battle with meningitis and a blood infection, her boyfriend Roy Hernandez confirmed.
The “When I’m Done” singer died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 14.
He was identified as one of six casualties after two helicopters collided while flying over an electric vehicle yard in the southwest zone of Rio.
The R&B singer—who won two Grammys for his pop duet versions of "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World"—died on June 2 at the age of 75, days after suffering from a stroke.
“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” his family shared in a statement. “While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
The NASCAR legend died on May 21, just hours after his family shared he was in the hospital battling a "severe illness." He was 41.
"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," NASCAR said in a part of joint statement with the Busch family and his racing team Richard Childress Racing on X May 21. "A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."
As the racing organization noted, "NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon."
The actor—known for his work on projects such as Saved by the Bell, Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place—died on April 19 from a heart attack at the age of 57.
Known as “Bobo” to his loved ones, Muldoon was described by his friends to Deadline as “endlessly generous with his poetry, his humor, and his unmistakable presence.”
They added that Muldoon “loved animals and people alike, gave unforgettable hugs, and possessed a rare quality of making others feel safe and seen. Stylish, charismatic, and full of life, he embraced each day with a full-tilt, rock ’n’ roll spirit.”
The Game of Thrones actor died at the age of 35 following a 3-year battle with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). His wife, Naomi Sheehan, confirmed his passing with an April 8 Instagram post, sharing that Michael "passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends" after 10 days in the hospital.
The drag queen (born Jayson Elvie Ty) was competing on the fourth season of Drag Race: Philippines when she died in her sleep on April 2. She was 27.
"Jayson was our dearly loved son, brother, friend, mentor, and most of all, Jayson is a star,” his family wrote. "He will be greatly missed by his loving family and close friends.”
The reality television star—known for his appearances on The Bachelorette Australia and The Challenge Australia—died at age 35, his team confirmed on April 2.
“We ask that you respect the privacy of their family during this incredibly difficult time,” his team said in a statement obtained by Variety. "No further information will be shared at this stage. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.”
After a yearlong battle with a rare form of cancer, the Blue Bloods star died March 28 at the age of 42. His friend Hilarie Steele confirmed the news in a post on his GoFundMe, writing he had been surrounded by friends and family.
“He was comfortable and thankfully out of pain,” she wrote. "We are devastated, but so grateful for the support, prayers, and generosity you have all shown during this unimaginable time."
The Back to the Future and Top Gun star died March 26, his rep confirmed to USA Today. He was 94.
"The news is sadly true about James," Tolkan's rep John Alcantar told the outlet. "James was a beloved professional who lived a good, full life."
The OnlyFans owner died at the age of 43 after a private battle with cancer, the adult content website's spokesperson shared with E! News.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo Radvinsky," an OnlyFans spokesperson said in a statement to E! News. "Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer."
The Ex on the Beach and The Only Way Is Essex star was found dead in Thailand on March 19, a spokesperson for TOWIE confirmed to Deadline. He was 33.
The NHL reporter, who covered the Minnesota Wild, died on March 21 at age 37 in a house fire with her three children Hudson, Cayden and Avery, the league confirmed.
"The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children," the league said in a March 22 statement. "Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly."
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum died in his sleep of natural causes on March 20, according to his family. He was 54.
The Walker, Texas Ranger star died on March 19 at the age of 86, his family confirmed on Instagram.
The actress, known for her work in Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge, died in March at the age of 65.
"This past Friday [March 6], our beloved Jennifer passed away. It was a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family," her family confirmed. "She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends. Rest in peace our Jenn."
The Supernatural actress died on February 26 at the age of 51, her rep confirmed, followinga diagnosis with breast cancer.
“It was a great privilege to have known Carrie,” the spokesperson for the actress added to People. “She was a beautiful soul, inspiring, and above all, kind. She will be greatly missed."
The Grey's Anatomy alum died on Feb. 19 at age 53 after a yearlong battle ALS, his family confirmed in a statement to E! News.
"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," the statement read. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
His family, including wife Rebecca Gayheart, added, “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
The civil rights activist, Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate died on Feb. 17 at the age of 84, his family confirmed.
"Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” they said in a statement. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
The actor, best known for his roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now died at the age 95, his wife Luciana Duvall confirmed in a statement on social media shared Feb. 16. His wife of 20 years wrote, “Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.”
After a years-long battle with cancer, the Dawson's Creek actor died on Feb. 11 at the age of 48, his family confirmed.
The legendary actress, known for her roles in movies including Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show and more, died in January at the age of 71.
The famed Italian designer, who dressed Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Julia Roberts and more stars, died Jan. 19, the foundation confirmed. He was 93.
Kianna, who starred on Nickelodeon's All That in 2005, died after being struck by a car in Brooklyn, New York, authorities confirmed Jan. 16. She was 33.
The Siouxsie and the Banshees vocalist died Jan. 15, his friend John Robb confirmed in a statement. He was 68.
"Kenny was a friend of ours, and it was always a pleasure to see and hang out with him when visiting Cork in Ireland, where he had been living," wrote Robb in an Instagram post. "He was sweet, articulate, artistic and fascinating company and his beautiful eccentricity was adorable."
The Olympic snowboarder, who earned a Bronze medal in the 1998 Nagano Winter Games, died in an avalanche in Switzerland Jan. 11. He was 50.
The professional organizing influencer, who pivoted her content following an ALS diagnosis in 2023, died due to the disease, she announced in her own January post. She was 39.
"I am not in pain, or tired. I can laugh, talk, and I can move,” she wrote in a posthumous note. "Reflecting in my last few months of my life, I am glad I didn’t go suddenly even WITH the suffering. I finished my list.”
The Grateful Dead member died after a cancer battle Jan. 10. He was 78.
"Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," his family wrote in a social media statement. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."
After battling "serious health issues," his family said in a statement, the Punky Brewster actor died in his California home Jan. 9. He was 69.
