David Hekili Kenui Bell, best known for starring in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, has sadly passed away weeks after the movie's release.
According to TMZ, the 46-year-old actor reportedly died on June 12, with the cause of death not yet revealed.
"We have launched a coroner’s inquest investigation (as is standard practice) and an autopsy is being scheduled to determine the exact cause of death," a police spokesperson said, PEOPLE reported. "The investigation is ongoing at this time. No foul play is suspected."
The devastating news was confirmed in a lengthy Facebook post by the 46-year-old's sister, Jalene Kanani, who shared a deeply personal and lengthy post honoring her brother’s life, calling him her “sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant, and handsome” sibling.
"I’ve been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was, but fate pushed my hand this morning by a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter honoring the men in our lives," she penned.
Jalene went on to talk about her beloved brother's love of acting, saying: "David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, spending time with Brutus, traveling as an ambassador for Kona Brew. The film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him, and I loved that he enjoyed the arts."
Kanani also revealed how much his unique heritage contributed to his talent, saying he moved to Hawaii, where his “ability to deliver lines with English understanding, Indigenous knowledge, and Pidgen to da max…made him a diamond in the rough.”
She then spoke about his role in Lilo & Stitch and how the family went to watch the film together on opening night.
"We talked about and were so energized by the fans dressed in L&S gear head to toe, t-shirts, onezees, hats, mask, and the merch galore flying off the shelf as we stood in line for pop-corn," she said.
She concluded her tribute with a tender reminder to cherish time with loved ones: "Hug your loved ones today…our last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch talking story about life, having a seltzer, and doing a little genealogy.
"Blessed by this and all the big and small moments, I will keep our memories alive," she added.
In addition to his role on Lilo & Stitch, Bell made appearances in Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O, per his IMDb.
He was also set to appear in the film The Wrecking Crew, which is currently in post-production.
The live-action Lilo & Stitch has officially dethroned 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, becoming the biggest Memorial Day weekend release in U.S. history.
According to Variety, the nostalgic reboot pulled in a staggering $341 million globally, locking in the second-highest opening of 2025, right behind A Minecraft Movie.