Anne Heche declared legally dead aged 53 after car crash

The Hollywood actor has been declared legally dead after a horror car crash last week caused devastating injuries.

Anne Heche has been declared legally dead in hospital a week after her horror car crash in Los Angeles. She was 53.

A spokesman for the US actor said in a statement on Friday US time that Heche had died following the devastating collision but still “has a beating heart” while on life support so her organs can potentially be donated.

“We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” the statement said.

“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 Heche has died aged 53. Picture: Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Declared ‘legally dead’

The family’s representative confirmed to Peoplemagazine that, while Heche has been declared legally dead according to California law, her heart is still beating and she has not been taken off life support in order to allow OneLegacy Foundation enough time to find recipients who will be a match.

On Friday afternoon, website TMZ had reported Heche was “brain dead”. It was announced earlier in the day Heche would soon be taken off of life support.

Heche’s friend, Nancy Davis, announced the death with a tribute posted on Instagram.

“Heaven has a new Angel. My loving, kind, fun, endearing and beautiful friend @anneheche went to heaven. I will miss her terribly and cherish all the beautiful memories we have shared,” she said.

“Anne was always the kindest, most thoughtful person who always brought out the best in me. … My heart is broken”.

Heche’s former partner Ellen DeGeneres said it was a “sad day” and she was sending her love to the actor’s family.

This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 12, 2022

Heche had been in a coma since the accident on August 6, with her representative saying on Thursday she was being kept on life support to “determine if her organs are viable.”

Hours before Heche was declared dead, her family released a statement saying the star was “not expected to survive.”

“Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma in critical condition,” Heche’s family said in a statement, obtained by People. “She is not expected to survive.”

Heche’s family went on to thank wellwishers for their support over the last few days, before talking about the star’s legacy.

“We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne’s recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Centre at West Hills hospital,” the statement said.

“Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit. More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work — especially moving the needle for acceptance of who you love.

“She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light.”

Heche’s family said she would be “missed for her light.” Picture: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

“She saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work.” Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

It comes after police confirmed on Friday that Heche tested positive for cocaine and possibly fentanyl at the time of her crash.

Los Angeles Police Department sources told TMZ that the actor’ blood test results came up positive for both substances.

Anne Heche dated Ellen DeGeneres in the ‘90s. Picture: LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP

However, the law enforcement insiders cautioned that fentanyl may have been administered to Heche at the hospital to help manage her pain after the accident, so they will do more testing to determine whether the fentanyl was in her system at the time of the crash.

The Six Days Seven Nights actor, who dated Ellen DeGeneres in the ‘90s, was in an “extreme critical condition” following the collision in Mar Vista, which saw the actor pulled from her vehicle after it burst into flames after crashing into a home.