Anne Heche’s death is ruled an ACCIDENT by coroner who said tragic star died of burns and smoke inhalation following 90mph horror smash
- Anne Heche’s death was ruled an accident by the LA County Medical Examiner on Wednesday
- The office also said the 53-year-old suffered a ‘sternal fracture due to blunt trauma’ in the horror smash on August 5
- Heche’s life support machine was turned off on Sunday after she suffered horrific burns in the collision in her Mini Clubman
- A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police said the department was continuing to investigate whether drug use contributed to the accident
- Blood tests showed that the actress had cocaine and fentanyl in her system
Anne Heche’s death has been officially ruled an accident after she died from her burns after plowing into a house at 90mph.
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner on Wednesday ruled the actress passed away from inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries.
The office also said the 53-year-old suffered a ‘sternal fracture due to blunt trauma’ in the horror smash on August 5.
Sternal fractures are most commonly found in patients who chest struck the steering wheel in car accidents.
Heche also suffered a ‘severe anoxic brain injury’ caused by a lack of oxygen, according to a statement released last week on behalf of her family and friends.
A full autopsy report was still being completed, the coroner’s office said.
Heche’s life support machine was turned off on Sunday after she suffered horrific burns in the collision in her Mini Clubman.
She was declared legally dead on August 12 after being in a coma for a week before being taken off life support two days later. She was kept on life support until her organs could be donated.
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A photo before the August 5 crash shows Heche moments before the second accident at the wheel with a bottle of vodka in the cup holder
The actress was seen being rolled to an ambulance the day of the accident
Heche can be seen being removed from the scene on a stretcher and taken toward a waiting ambulance
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police said the department was continuing to investigate whether drug use contributed to the accident.
Blood tests showed that the actress had cocaine and fentanyl in her system when the high-speed crash occurred on August 5, but officials confirmed that she had not been drinking alcohol, despite being pictured with a vodka bottle in her cupholder.
A new 911 call also revealed that neighbors were not initially aware that Heche was trapped in the car inside the property.
The caller told authorities a ‘car just went through my neighbor’s house’ and into the ‘second room’ and that no one was in the car, 911-call records, obtained by Fox News, said.
When asked if the car was inside the house, the caller told the dispatcher that it was ’10 feet’ inside and moments later the car burst into flames with Heche inside.
Seconds later, it was revealed that Heche was actually inside the car. The caller told dispatchers: ‘Somebody is trapped in the car. It’s a big fire.’
A dispatcher told the caller to ‘try and get the driver out of the car if we can,’ but advised them to stay safe.
The 53-year-old suffered horrific burns during the collision and was recorded being dragged out of the mangled wreck by firefighters after it burst into flames in Los Angeles around 11 am
An interior shot shows the Mini Clubman’s airbag had blown out along with most of the decor being burnt through following the crash
Firefighters were seen on site standing next to the burnt car
The actress lost control of her car as it careened into a home, and ignited a fire that badly burned her, leaving her in ‘extreme critical condition,’ her representative said.
It reportedly took 59 firefighters 65 minutes to ‘access, confine and fully extinguish the stubborn flames’ that were caused by Heche’s crash.
A man can be heard begging emergency services to be ‘real quick’ once they realized that someone was trapped and went to get a hose to try to help.
They said: ‘There is smoke, I didn’t see flames, somebody just said get water. There is a fire, the house. I don’t see flames but there is a lot of smoke. Big fire.’
last week, newly released footage saw the moments before the crash in which Heche almost mowed down a woman.
She was recorded speeding down an alleyway and narrowly missing the pedestrian as she walked along the sidewalk in the Mar Vista area of the city.
The woman, who has not been identified, whipped around in astonishment as the blue Mini Clubman raced past just before 11am on Friday.
It comes as police insiders revealed Heche, who was intubated with horrific burns after the terrifying crash, is set to be investigated over the 90mph smash.
A picture taken by a witness before the crash showed her in her blue Mini Clubman with a bottle with a red top on it looking glassy eyed.
After the star was taken off life support, many tributes poured in, including from her own management team, who wrote: Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.’
Her 2-year-old son Homer also said he had gone through ‘unbelievable emotional swings’ and was left in a ‘deep, wordless sadness,’ according to People.
‘Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom,’ he told People.
The actress also leaves behind a 13-year-old son Atlas, whom she shares with ex James Tupper.
The actress leaves behind two children, Atlas, 13, (left) and Homer, 20 (right). Her oldest said he was left in a ‘deep, wordless sadness’ after her death
Homer’s father, Laffoon, posted an emotional tribute to the actress on Saturday, the day after it was announced Heche was brain dead.
In the video, posted to his Instagram, Laffoon said: ‘In the wake of Anne’s passing, I just wanted to say a few things: One, I love her and I miss her, and I’m always going to. Two, Homer is OK.
‘He’s grieving of course, and it’s rough, it’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine,’ Laffoon continued. ‘But he’s surrounded by family and he’s going to be OK.’
‘So for all those people checking in, thank you for checking in, showing us your heart, offering prayers and everything. It’s so beautiful. Thank you.’
Former costar Robert DeNiro told People: ‘I’m very sad to hear of the tragic passing of Anne Heche. She was a wonderful actress and I enjoyed working with her tremendously in Wag the Dog. Sad! Sad! Sad!’
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