David Hekili Kenui Bell, who graced the silver screen in Disney's live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch," has passed away at the age of 46. The heart-wrenching news was shared by his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, on her Facebook page on June 15th. The actor's family further confirmed the tragic event to TMZ, who broke the story on June 16th. The Hawai'i police subsequently exclusively informed PEOPLE magazine that Bell had departed this world on June 12th at 2:26 p.m.
"A coroner's inquest investigation has been initiated, as per standard procedure, and an autopsy is being arranged to ascertain the precise cause of death," continued a police spokesperson. "The investigation is ongoing, and foul play is not suspected at this time."
Bell's agent, Lashauna Downie, expressed her grief in a statement to PEOPLE, saying, "I learned of this through social media, just like everyone else. If true, it is heartbreaking and sad. He was one of my finest talents, embodying the true spirit of aloha—a gentle giant indeed."
In a poignant tribute posted on June 15th, Jalene revealed, "With a heavy heart, I share that my dear, generous, talented, humorous, brilliant, and handsome little brother, David H. K. Bell, is now in the embrace of our Heavenly Father." She remembered him as a "joyous soul and a prince among men."
Recalling their meeting on her high school graduation day, Jalene said, "At 18, I was gifted the most amazing surprise when I met my little brother. Our mothers made it happen, and that gift has been a lifelong treasure. Though I didn't grow up with a father, David gave me all the unconditional love I could ever desire. I believe his family and friends received the same from him."
"Lilo & Stitch" premiered on May 23rd, and David celebrated his cinematic triumph with his family. "He thoughtfully secured the best seats for us all to attend the opening night in Kapolei, just two weeks prior," his sister shared. She reminisced about the excitement generated by fans dressed in "Lilo & Stitch" attire as they waited in line for popcorn. "We planned to get shave ice afterward and reenact a scene, but the store was closed. To honor him and seek solace, we still went for shave ice, and my grandson's emotions were palpable," Jalene wrote.
David had recently shared a photo on his Facebook account, reposting a message from Fandango featuring him enjoying shave ice outdoors. "Whenever I'm having a bad day, I think of this guy," the movie ticket company had captioned the post. "Thanks, Fandango! I think?" David replied on May 30th.
Beyond acting, Jalene noted that David had a passion for voiceovers. "You can hear his voice welcoming you at Kona Airport, where he took great pride in creating an exceptional and safe experience for travelers," she wrote. "He was, and will forever be, a shining star."
She also mentioned his love for social media and promised to share some of his posts soon. "Hug your loved ones today," Jalene urged. "Our last moments together, after returning from the movie, were spent sitting on my living room couch, chatting about life, sipping seltzer, and tracing our family tree. Cherishing these memories, both big and small, I vow to keep them alive."
In addition to his role in "Lilo & Stitch," David also appeared in episodes of Hawaii-based shows "Hawaii Five-0" and "Magnum P.I.," as well as commercials for Kona Brewing.
