Anne Heche has been declared brain dead but remains on life support as she’s evaluated for potential organ donation, her representative confirmed.
In a statement to USA TODAY Friday, publicist Holly Baird shared that, though Heche’s heart is still beating, she is considered legally dead under California Law. The OneLegacy Foundation, a Los Angeles organ and tissue bank, is evaluating Heche to determine if she is a match for organ donation, a process that can take multiple days.
Heche suffered a “severe anoxic brain injury” as a result of a car crash last week and was not “not expected to survive,” according to a statement received by USA TODAY Thursday.
Homer Laffoon, Heche’s 20-year-old son with real estate broker Coleman Laffoon, mourned his mother in a statement provided to USA TODAY Friday.
“After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness,” he said. “Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.”
He continued: “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.”
A statement provided to USA TODAY on behalf of Heche’s family and friends remembered the actress as “a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend.”
“Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy,” the statement continued. “Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”
The Los Angeles Police Department ended its investigation into Anne Heche’s car accident Friday as it assessed if drugs or alcohol were involved. Detectives looking into the crash had said narcotics were found in her blood but toxicology results were still pending at the time.
Anne Heche ‘not expected to survive’ following fiery car crash that left her in a coma
What is considered legally dead in California?
Under California law, death can be determined by the loss of all brain function and in accordance with accepted medical standards. In the United States, most organ transplants occur after the donor is declared brain dead.
Mayo Clinic describes brain death as “when there is no measurable activity in the brain and the brainstem.” Brain death is considered irreversible, and the removal of breathing devices in a person declared brain dead will result in cessation of breathing and eventual heart failure, Mayo Clinic adds.
“It has long been (Heche’s) choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable,” read a statement received Thursday by USA TODAY from Heche’s publicist.
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According to Baird, the process of assessing which organs are viable and finding an appropriate recipient could take one to four days.
Heche has been treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital in Los Angeles following her crash. On Aug. 5, Heche’s car smashed into a house in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles’ westside. Flames erupted, and Heche, who was alone in the car, was pulled by firefighters from the vehicle embedded in the house. No one in the house was injured.
Heche had been in a coma since the accident, with burns that required surgery and lung injuries that required the use of a ventilator to breathe.
Anne Heche on a ventilator, undergoes surgery 4 days after fiery car crash
Anne Heche hospitalized in critical condition, remains in coma after fiery car crash
Contributing: Staff and wire reports
