Anne Heche’s Cause Of Death Revealed 2 Weeks After Devastating Car Crash
Anne Heche’s death has officially been ruled an accident, as more details about the cause of death were revealed.
Nearly two weeks after Anne Heche crashed her blue Mini Cooper into a Mar Vista, Los Angeles home, her cause of death resulting from the accident has officially been revealed. The Six Days Seven Nights star died due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, HollywoodLife can confirm. Anne’s death was also officially listed as an accident. Per documents, she also suffered a “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma” that was a “significant condition” for her following the fiery crash.
Anne was 53 at the time of her death. On August 5, 2022, the actress was allegedly seen speeding before crashing her car into an unoccupied home, igniting both the structure and her car. Following the accident, the Donnie Brasco star reportedly went into a coma and remained in extremely critical condition in the week between the crash and her death. But by Friday, August 12, it was apparent the iconic actress and ex of Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t going to survive.
She was declared legally dead (brain dead) that day. “Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” a rep said in a statement received by HollywoodLife. “Anne will be deeply missed, but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.” Anne was taken off life support two days later on Sunday, August 14, after a recipient for organ donation was found.
Her legacy in film and television was profound, as was her life as a mother. She had her first child, son Homer, 20, with ex-husband Coleman “Coley” Laffoon, and her second child, son Atlas, 13, with ex and Men in Trees co-star James Tupper. “I loved her, and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” Coleman said in a tearful August 12 Instagram post. “She was brave and fearless and loved really hard.”