ByBreaking News Team, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByBreaking News Team, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Anne Heche died Friday after being taken off life support following a fiery crash last week in west Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. She was 53.
“My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness,” Heche’s son, Homer, wrote in statement obtained by the Times. “Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.
“Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”
On Thursday night, family members confirmed that Heche had slipped into a coma and that she was in critical condition. She had suffered a severe brain injury and was hospitalized at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital, according to a statement.
“She is not expected to survive,” family members said.
Representatives for the actress’ family and friends told Deadline on Thursday that Heche was being kept on life support to determine whether any of her organs could be donated, as had long been her wish.
“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,” the statement said. “She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light.”
Police said Heche crashed a vehicle into a home in Los Angeles just before 11 a.m. on Aug. 5. On Thursday, authorities said they were investigating whether Heche was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, The Associated Press reported.
Friends and loved ones took to social media to remember Heche.
This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love.
Heche 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 was in a high-profile relationship with fellow actress Ellen DeGeneres from 1997 to 2000, according to the Advocate. From 2001 to 2009, she was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon, with whom she had a son. She had another son during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series “Men In Trees.”
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.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Photos: Anne Heche through the years Here are some photos of actress Anne Heche through the years. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2001: Actress Anne Heche poses with her husband, director Coley Laffoon, on their wedding day September 1, 2001, In Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2002: Edie Falco and Anne Heche arrive at the 56th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 2, 2002. (Scott Gries/ImageDirect via Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2003: Actress Anne Heche attends the "Life's Not Still: Adolescence & Adolescents" Benefit & Exhibit sponsored by the Huck Fund at the Gallery of Functional Art on June 7, 2003, in Santa Monica, California. (Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2004: Actress Anne Heche attends the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 19, 2004, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2005: Actress Anne Heche arrives at the 2005 Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on September 11, 2005, in Los Angeles. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2006: Actress Anne Heche arrives at the Disney - ABC Television Group All Star Party at the Wisteria Courtyard at Kidspace Children's Museum on July 19, 2006, in Pasadena, California. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2007: Actress Anne Heche attends the 61st annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2007, in New York City. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2008: Actors Anne Heche (left) and James Tupper attend the 15th annual Race to Erase MS event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on May 2, 2008, in Los Angeles. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2009: Actors James Tupper and Anne Heche with son arrive for the Cirque Du Solei Opening Night Gala For Kooza at the Santa Monica Pier on October 16, 2009, in Santa Monica, California. (Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2010: Actors Anne Heche and actor Thomas Jane arrive at HBO's "Hung" Season 2 premiere at Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on June 23, 2010, in Hollywood, California. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2011: Actress Anne Heche (right) and James Tupper arrive at the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 26, 2011, in Santa Monica, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2012: Actors Anne Heche (left) and James Tupper arrive at the 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party held at West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2012, in West Hollywood, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2013: Actress Anne Heche arrives at the Hollywood Reporter's Emmy Party at Soho House on September 19, 2013, in West Hollywood, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2014: Actress Anne Heche attends the 2014 BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea presented by BBC America and Jaguar at SLS Hotel on August 23, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2015: Actress Anne Heche attends the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 21, 2015, in Santa Monica, California. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2016: Actors James Tupper (left) and Anne Heche attend HBO's Official 2016 Emmy After Party at the Plaza at the Pacific Design Center on September 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2017: Sean Hayes and Anne Heche attend the Entertainment Weekly and People Upfronts party presented by Netflix and Terra Chips at Second Floor on May 15, 2017, in New York City. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly and People)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2018: Anne Heche attends the 25th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 20, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Race to Erase MS)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2019: Actress Anne Heche attends the red carpet for the "Twentieth Century" Benefit Concert Reading at Studio 54 on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2020: Anne Heche attends the 28th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb, Neuro Drinks and Walmart on February 9, 2020, in West Hollywood, California. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2021: Anne Heche attends the 2021 Breeders' Cup VIP Event at Del Mar Race Track on November 6, 2021, in Del Mar, California. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Photos: Anne Heche through the years 2022: Anne Heche and Ami Goodheart attend the 24th Costume Designers Guild Awards at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage on March 9, 2022, in Santa Monica, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for CDGA)
