Anne Heche declared legally dead at 53: actress dies of her injuries a week after a car accident

Update: A representative for Heche's family released the following statement: "We have lost a bright light, a caring and joyful soul, a loving mother and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed, but she lives on. through his beautiful sons, his iconic work, and his passionate advocacy. His bravery to always stand in his truth, spreading his message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."

Earlier: Anne Heche was declared legally dead at the age of 53, a week after a car accident in Los Angeles on Friday August 5. The actress spent the week in hospital, where she was treated for a lung injury and severe burns before passing away on August 12. She had been in a coma the whole time. When his vehicle caught fire, the smoke inhalation prevented oxygen from reaching his brain, causing irreparable brain damage.

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Heche currently has no brain function - the legal definition of death in the state of California - but remains on life support to preserve his organs for donation. It has long been his choice to donate his organs.

IndieWire has reached out to Heche's reps for further comment, but a statement from her family and friends was released Thursday night when it was announced that she "was not to survive":

"We would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers for Anne's recovery, as well as the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses who cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at the hospital. West Hills.

"Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive.

"Anne had a big heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit. More than her extraordinary talent, she considered spreading kindness and joy to be her life's work – especially moving the needle for acceptance from who you love. She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and will be sorely missed for her light."

The late actress was born in 1969 in Aurora, Ohio, but moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career shortly before graduating from high school. Heche first found success as a soap opera star, joining the cast of "Another World" in 1984. She played twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love on the show for seven years. Her dueling roles on the show won her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series in 1991.

Heche then appeared on prime time television and in major movies, making her prime time debut in an episode of "Murphy Brown." In theaters throughout the 1990s, Heche joined the cast of "Donnie Brasco," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "Wag the Dog," and more. She headlined alongside Harrison Ford in "Six Days Seven Nights" in 1998 and played Marion Crane, the role made famous by Janet Leigh, in a remake of "Psycho" in 1998.

Heche continued to work consistently throughout the 2000s, often appearing in independent films and television roles. She earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie in 2004 for her performance in "Gracie's Choice," opposite Kristen Bell. Heche also had notable roles in 'Spread', 'Cedar Rapids' and 'Birth'. She also wrote and directed the 2001 TV movie "Reaching Normal" and was co-creator and executive producer of the NBC sitcom "Bad Judge."

During his later years, Heche appeared in a variety of television series, including "The Brave," "All Rise," "Quantico," and "Chicago P.D." She had completed filming several projects before her sudden death, including the disaster thriller "Supercell," in which she stars alongside Alec Baldwin, and the horror thriller "Full Ride" starring Dermot Mulroney.

Heche is survived by his sister Abigail and his two sons, Homer and Atlas Heche Tupper.

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