Daveigh Chase‘s mother, Cathy Chase, has spoken out following the unexpected and tragic passing of The Ring child star at the age of 35.
“I was devastated. It felt like something inside of me was compressing all the air out of me, and simultaneously, it felt like I was bursting outwardly,” Cathy shared in a Daily Mail interview published on Friday, June 19. Cathy, who last saw Daveigh in 2019, continued, “I let out this guttural scream and just started running, making strange, primordial noises. I went into the backyard screaming, ‘No, no, no, no!’ I am in immense pain, but I hope her soul heard me.”
Daveigh’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, announced on Wednesday, June 17, that the actress had passed away the day before. He stated that Daveigh had suffered from meningitis and a blood infection causing sepsis, a critical condition that can result in organ failure.
Earlier, Hernandez had initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Daveigh’s medical costs.
In the fundraiser description, Hernandez wrote, “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left. 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.”
Cathy revealed to the Daily Mail that she learned about Daveigh’s death through the media after years of being concerned about her daughter’s health.
“I would just put her name in the coroner’s [search system] and see if her name came up and if somebody had her somewhere,” Cathy recalled. “I would look at their list of unidentified bodies. It was very difficult, but you do everything you can as a mother.”
Cathy mentioned that Daveigh reportedly faced substance abuse problems following a back injury from a motorcycle accident in 2016.
Daveigh Chase’s former manager has expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of the GoFundMe page started by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, following the actress’s death. “A man claiming to be Daveigh’s boyfriend has launched a GoFundMe page purportedly on behalf of Daveigh and her family. Neither her family nor her close friends have confirmed this.”
“She was seeking drugs and was involved with the wrong crowd,” Cathy alleged. “I never forced my daughter out. She sought freedom, and these individuals got her addicted to drugs. That was the beginning.”
Cathy further recalled that the last time she saw Daveigh was in October 2019.
“She was completely gone, almost out of her mind. I honestly thought there was something wrong with her,” Cathy said. “My daughter was never diagnosed with mental health issues aside from PTSD, but the drugs took control of her.”
Daveigh is survived by her parents, brother, and boyfriend. Cathy also assisted in identifying the Donnie Darko actress’s body earlier this week.
“[The hospital chaplain and I] were able to lay hands and pray,” Cathy told the Daily Mail. “Technically, 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. It was a beautiful experience, and I feel very blessed to have been able to share that with my daughter.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
