Melissa Gilbert expressed her grief on Monday regarding the unfortunate death of Davey Chase, criticizing what she referred to as his “stage parents.”
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Gilbert remembered Chase as “bubbly, kind, and professional” during their collaboration on an unaired television pilot over two decades ago.
However, she noted there was a deeper issue—a perceived need in Chase to perform and seek approval from her parents.
The alum from *Little House on the Prairie* remarked that while some former child actors manage to navigate life successfully thanks to “solid, smart parenting,” others end up struggling because their parents “lost sight of what their true responsibilities were.”
“Today, I am truly heartbroken to read about the circumstances of Davey’s death,” she stated. “While we certainly understand drug addiction disorders, the death of this sweet girl is far more complex than that.”
Gilbert appealed to parents, urging them to ensure their children enter the entertainment industry only for valid reasons.
“It’s important to see if that’s actually what the child wants,” she added, emphasizing the need for them to have fulfilling lives outside of Hollywood, filled with friendships and normalcy.
Her tribute, which included a photo of Chase, ended with a poignant request to stage parents: “Remember this sweet girl’s face and her story so that something like this never happens again.”
Chase passed away on June 16 at the age of 35, following complications from meningitis and serious blood infections that led to sepsis, as shared by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez.
Her death was officially attributed to AIDS, with chronic polysubstance use identified as a contributing factor.
Before her passing, Chase frequently lived near the notorious Skid Row in Los Angeles.
In the days prior to her death, Hernandez had initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help the late actress find “solace and peace,” as she was reported to be in critical condition.
Chase’s mother, Kathy, was reportedly left in disbelief and “devastated” by her daughter’s untimely passing.
“I was just running, screaming in a guttural way,” she recounted, sharing her raw emotions with a media outlet. “These strange, primitive sounds came from me.”
Chase was well-known for her roles in the Disney movie *Lilo & Stitch* and the horror film *The Ring*, for which she received an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
If you or someone you know is impacted by similar issues, consider reaching out to SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
