Anne Heche’s death has been ruled an accident.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, the actress’ official cause of death was inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries.
Her manner of death has been listed as accidental.
A “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma” was another “significant condition” from the August 5th car crash in which she was involved, according to the report.
Per the National Library of Medicine, sternal fractures typically occur after the chest strikes the steering wheel in motor vehicle collisions.
As previously reported, per the Los Angeles Police Department, a blood test revealed that Heche was under the influence of narcotics when she crashed her car into a Los Angeles home. The Los Angeles Times also reported that Heche was under the influence of cocaine during the crash.
Heche, 53, was declared brain dead on August 12th — even though her heart was still beating, which is the definition of death according to California law.
The late actress was kept on life support for a few days in order to donate her organs. As of Sunday, August 14th, she had been taken off life support and her organ recipients had yet to be determined.
“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 her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” her representative told ET.
Heche was best known for her roles in the soap opera Another World and films such as Psycho, Six Days, and Donnie Brasco.
Her eldest son Homer, 20, also spoke with ET.
“My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” he said. “After six 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. Rest in Peace Mom, I love you.”
