Anne Heche has been declared legally dead, following the horrific car crash in Los Angeles that left her brain dead. She was 53.
Anne Heche never regained consciousness after falling into a coma due to a car crash on August 5. The actor’s friends and family are grieving, and preparing to switch off the life support system that is keeping the actor’s body alive. As per her long-term wishes, Heche has been paired with an organ-donation recipient and will be kept alive on machines until the donation happens.
Page Six confirmed that the actress chose to be an organ donor long before her passing. A representative for Heche shared in a statement last week, “It has long been her choice to donate her organs.”
Hours before Heche was declared dead, her family released a statement: “Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma in critical condition. She is not expected to survive.”
It comes after police confirmed on Friday that Heche tested positive for cocaine and possibly fentanyl at the time of her crash. Police have now dismissed an investigation into the accident not long after the actor was legally declared brain dead.
Heche is survived by her 13-year-old son, Atlas, with Canadian actor, James Tupper and a 20-year-old son, Homer, with her ex-husband, Coleman Laffoon. Homer has released a statement on behalf of himself and his younger brother: “My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom. After 6 days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.”
Anne Heche’s ex-husband, Coley Laffoon said that Homer is “strong” and will be “OK.” In his video posted to Instagram, he continued, “I loved her and I miss her and I’m always going to. It’s rough, it’s really rough as probably anybody can imagine.” Ellen DeGeneres has since, after being ambushed by paparazzi respectfully reached out via Twitter. See her mesage below.
#AnneHeche's ex-husband #ColemanLaffoon shared a teary, heartfelt tribute to the late actress and also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son #HomerLaffoon is coping with the loss. Watch the video here.https://t.co/lRtJLO4B15
— India TV (@indiatvnews) August 14, 2022
This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 12, 2022
