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Coroner has released Anne Heche's cause of death after conducting autopsy
Featured Image Credit: Paul Smith/Alamy Stock Photo. Geisler-Fotopress GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

Coroner has released Anne Heche's cause of death after conducting autopsy

The coroner has ruled the star's death was an accident.

A coroner has revealed Anne Heche's cause of death after conducting an autopsy of the star.

The Washington Times reports the actor died from inhalation injury and burns after her fiery car crash earlier this month.

The outlet states her death has been ruled an accident and a full autopsy report is yet to be completed and released.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner said the 53-year-old actor sustained 'a fractured sternum caused by blunt trauma'.

Her life support was officially turned off this week after an organ donor recipient was identified.

It had 'long been her choice to donate her organs' and her representatives wanted to honour that wish.

NBCLA

The details of who will be receiving the organs as well as which ones hasn't been made clear.

While the actor was confirmed to be legally dead last week, her body was being kept alive until the OneLegacy Foundation was able to find people who needed organs.

Heche's family confirmed last week that they did not expect her to survive her injuries when she fell into a coma after crashing her car into a Los Angeles house on 5 August.

The car burst into flames after the collision, and Heche was the only person injured in the incident.

The crash caused her to suffer a 'severe anoxic brain injury' due to a lack of oxygen.

A representative for the star told NBC News: "Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend."

They added: "Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.

The Photo Access / Alamy Stock Photo

"Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."

The company behind her podcast, Better Together with Anne & Heather, has also issued a statement after she was declared dead.

Heche launched the podcast alongside Heather Duffy via Straw Hut Media, back in 2020 - a podcast where the pair would ‘celebrate friendship’ and ‘create more joy in the world by sharing our stories, stumbles, and triumphs’. 

Straw Hut Media co-founder and CEO Ryan Tillotson said: "Anne added life to every room she entered with her tremendous energy and welcoming presence.

“I will remember her most for her big heart, her commitment to the people she loved, and the fearless way she fought for what she believed in. Better Together wasn’t just a podcast, it was a belief system.

"She believed the best way to grow and improve yourself was to talk openly and share stories. We’re committed to continuing her legacy in that way."

Topics: Celebrity