Anne Heche on life support, survival of crash 'not expected'

Anne Heche is on life support after suffering a brain injury in a fiery crash a week ago and her survival isn't expected, according to a statement from a representative.

Associated Press

Aug 12, 2022, 11:08 AM

Updated 626 days ago

Share:

Anne Heche is on life support after suffering a brain injury in a fiery crash a week ago and her survival isn't expected, according to a statement from a representative.
The actor, who is in a coma and in critical condition, is being kept on life support for possible organ donation, according to the statement released Thursday night on behalf of her family and friends.
Heche, who's been hospitalized at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital north of Los Angeles, suffered a “severe anoxic brain injury,” the statement said. Such an injury is caused by a sustained lack of oxygen to the brain.
“She is not expected to survive,” the statement said. “It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable."
On the morning of Aug. 5, Heche’s car smashed into a house in a neighborhood in west Los Angeles and a fire erupted with the car embedded inside the home.
Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating Heche for driving under the influence. Detectives with a search warrant took a sample of her blood and found narcotics in her system, LAPD spokesperson Officer Jeff Lee said.
Toxicology tests, which can take weeks to complete, must be performed to identify the drugs more clearly and to differentiate them from any medication she may have been given for treatment at the hospital.
Evidence is still being gathered from the crash, police said, and they would present a case to prosecutors if it is warranted when the investigation is complete.
A representative for Heche declined comment on the investigation.
On Tuesday, Heche spokesperson Heather Duffy Boylston said she had been in a coma since after the accident, with burns that required surgery and lung injuries that required the use of a ventilator to breathe.
“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,” Thursday's statement said. “She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light.”
Heche, 53, was among the most prominent film stars in Hollywood in the late 1990s, playing opposite actors including Johnny Depp (“Donnie Brasco”) and Harrison Ford (“Six Days, Seven Nights”). In a 2001 memoir, she discussed her lifelong struggles with mental health.
She recently had recurring roles on the network TV series “Chicago P.D.” and “All Rise,” and in 2020 was a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars.”


More from News 12
2:22
Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

1:56
STORM WATCH: Cloudy with cooler temps in New Jersey; tracking evening rain showers

STORM WATCH: Cloudy with cooler temps in New Jersey; tracking evening rain showers

2:10
Authorities: 1 man dead in Jersey City shooting

Authorities: 1 man dead in Jersey City shooting

0:29
Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

0:35
Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

0:24
Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program

Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program

0:28
Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

1:27
Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

0:16
Ridgewood school district announces extended Memorial Day weekend thanks to unused snow days

Ridgewood school district announces extended Memorial Day weekend thanks to unused snow days

0:22
E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

0:23
Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

8:55
Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

0:29
Officials: Former Rutgers football player killed in shooting incident in Hoboken

Officials: Former Rutgers football player killed in shooting incident in Hoboken

1:51
New Jersey sees more than 150 aftershocks since April 5 4.8 magnitude earthquake

New Jersey sees more than 150 aftershocks since April 5 4.8 magnitude earthquake

0:45
Jersey Proud: Make-A-Wish celebrates 44th anniversary with ‘World Wish Day’

Jersey Proud: Make-A-Wish celebrates 44th anniversary with ‘World Wish Day’

0:27
Report: Hudson Tunnel Project to create 95,000 new jobs, generate billions in revenue

Report: Hudson Tunnel Project to create 95,000 new jobs, generate billions in revenue

6:00
be Well: ‘Breakfast Club’ comedian Jess Hilarious opens up about how she’s preparing for motherhood

be Well: ‘Breakfast Club’ comedian Jess Hilarious opens up about how she’s preparing for motherhood

0:31
Prosecutor: Man faces human trafficking charges following assault of 13-year-old girl

Prosecutor: Man faces human trafficking charges following assault of 13-year-old girl

2:10
Officials: Car thief crashes into Newark bar, injuring 2 people

Officials: Car thief crashes into Newark bar, injuring 2 people

1:51
Atlantic City aims to get emergency sand replacement due to winter erosion on beaches

Atlantic City aims to get emergency sand replacement due to winter erosion on beaches