Anne Heche’s top 5 films 1:12
(CNN) — Anne Heche’s cause of death has been ruled accidental, with inhalation and thermal injuries cited as the cause, the Los Angeles County Medical Investigations Division said on Wednesday.
Heche’s car crashed into a home in Los Angeles on August 5 and burst into flames. After the accident, Heche suffered a “severe anoxic brain injury” that deprived her brain of oxygen, among other post-crash critical injuries, her family and friends said in a statement to CNN.
“Anne Heche was peacefully taken off life support,” a representative of the actress’ family told CNN Sunday night, later confirming her death.
The coroner cited inhalation and thermal injuries as the cause of death. Other “significant circumstances” in his death included a “sternum fracture due to blunt trauma,” according to the report posted online.
Actress Anne Heche poses for a portrait in 2015. (Credit: Christopher Polk/NBC/Getty Images)
The actress’ body has since been released from the Coroner’s Office, the report said.
CNN is reaching out to Heche officials for comment.
Heche, a fascinating actress whose versatility fueled an admirable career in television and film that spanned four decades, has died at the age of 53.