Anne Heche is expected to die due to the injuries she sustained last week in a horrific West Los Angeles car wreck, her representatives stated in a Thursday night statement.
Heche, according to representatives, sustained a “severe” anoxic brain injury — which means she suffered a total lack of oxygen to her brain — and is being kept on life support while they determine whether any of her organs can be donated.
Heche was badly burned in the wreck, which happened Aug. 5 in Los Angeles’ Mar Vista neighborhood. Heche drove apparently at top speed into a residential house, where her car caught fire. Heche was only briefly conscious after being saved by firefighters, and has been in a coma ever since.
People MagazineThe statement was first published. Heche’s representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Below is the complete statement.
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 Center at West Hills hospital.
Anne Heche was injured in an accident and is currently in a critical condition in a coma. It is unlikely that she will survive.
She has made it a long-held decision to donate her organs. She is currently on life support to see if they are viable.
Anne was a generous person with a big heart. She touched everyone she met with her kind 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. We will remember her for her courage and light.