AI
Jun 17, 2026 Major3
87%
Davie Chayes, 'The Ring' Actress, Dies at 35 from Meningitis Complications
Davie Chayes, renowned for her iconic role as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film 'The Ring,' has died at age 35 from complications of meningitis and severe blood infections that led to sepsis and organ failure. Her boyfriend announced her death on June 16, 2026, revealing that she had been critically ill following a recent diagnosis.
Quick Facts
Who
Davie Chayes
What
Actress died from meningitis and blood infections
When
June 16, 2026 (death)
Where
United States
- Actress died from meningitis and blood infections
- Condition deteriorated to sepsis and organ failure
- Boyfriend created GoFundMe fundraiser one week before death
- Played Samara Morgan in 'The Ring' (2002)
- Voiced Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch' (2002)
Davie Chayes, the American actress best known for playing the vengeful ghost Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film 'The Ring,' has died at age 35. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed her death to media outlets including TMZ and Deadline. Chayes passed away on June 16, 2026, after a brief but severe illness.
According to Hernandez, Chayes had recently been diagnosed with meningitis and multiple serious blood infections. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to sepsis and ultimately organ failure. Hernandez revealed that just one week before her death, he had created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for her medical care, and that doctors had warned him her condition was critical. The infections in her bloodstream triggered septic complications that proved fatal.
Chayes began her entertainment career as a young child, starting as a singer at age three before transitioning to acting and theater. She achieved widespread recognition in 2002, the same year she played Samara Morgan at age 11 in 'The Ring'—a role that earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. That same year, she provided the voice of Lilo in Disney's animated hit 'Lilo & Stitch.' She also voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English dub of the Studio Ghibli anime 'Spirited Away.'
Throughout her career, Chayes appeared in numerous television series and films, including 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch,' 'Charmed,' 'ER,' 'Donnie Darko,' 'S. Darko,' 'Beethoven 5,' and HBO's 'Big Love.' Despite her early prominence in Hollywood, Chayes had largely maintained a private life in recent years. Her death marks the unexpected loss of an actress who made memorable contributions to both film and television during her childhood and adolescence.
Topics
Why This Matters
Davie Chayes' unexpected death from treatable infectious diseases underscores the critical importance of rapid medical intervention in meningitis cases, where early recognition and aggressive treatment can be lifesaving. Her case also highlights the often-overlooked health challenges faced by former child actors and the importance of accessible healthcare. For fans and industry observers, her passing marks the loss of an actress whose work in iconic 2002 films shaped a generation of entertainment consumers.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2002
WireCast as Samara Morgan in 'The Ring' at age 11
Jan 1, 2002
WireVoiced Lilo in Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch'