In a statement, Heche’s son Homer Laffoon, 20, wrote: “My brother Atlas and I lost our mother. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional changes, I am left with a deep sadness without words. Hopefully my mom is pain free and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.”
A week after the accident, Heche was “brain dead” but still on life support, according to a statement from his family and friends shared with CNN by his representative.
Heche has been matched with an organ recipient and will be taken off life support on Sunday, a family representative told CNN.
Under California law, because of her condition, Heche is considered legally dead.
The family said in a statement earlier Thursday night that “it was” Heche’s choice to donate his organs.
“We have lost a bright light, a kind and joyful soul, a loving mother and a loyal friend,” the family’s previous statement said. “Anne will be greatly missed, but lives on through her beautiful children, her iconic work and her passionate advocacy. Her courage to always stand in her truth, spread her message of love and acceptance , will continue to have a lasting impact.”
Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury, which deprives the brain of oxygen, as a result of the accident, according to the family representative.
A woman inside the home at the time of the crash suffered minor injuries and sought medical attention, according to Lee.
After it was announced that the actress was declared brain dead, the Los Angeles Police Department ended its criminal investigation into the crash, a police spokesman told CNN Saturday evening.
The department will continue to acquire some outstanding items it previously sought through search warrants, but “no further investigation will be conducted for prosecution,” the spokesman added.
In their message Thursday, Heche’s family and friends thanked his care team at West Hills Hospital’s Grossman Burn Center and paid tribute to their “huge heart” and “generous spirit.” from Heche.
“More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work, especially moving the needle on accepting who you love,” the statement said.
Heche rose to fame on the soap opera “Another World,” where she played the dual roles of twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love from 1987 to 1991. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance on the show.
Heche followed this success with numerous films, including “Donnie Brasco”, “Wag the Dog” and “Six Days Seven Nights” alongside Harrison Ford.
In more recent years, Heche has appeared in television shows such as “The Brave,” “Quantico” and “Chicago PD.”
After the accident, there was an outpouring of support for the actress from the Hollywood community. Her ex and former “Men in Trees” co-star James Tupper, with whom she shares one of her two sons, wrote on Instagram: “Thoughts and prayers for this lovely woman, actress and mother tonight Anne Heche. We love you “. Ryan Tillotson, the producer of Heche’s “Better Together” podcast, said in a statement that she was “irreplaceable” and will be remembered for “her big heart, her commitment to the people she loved and the fearless way she he fought for what he believed in.” inside”.
“More than just a beloved hostess, Anne was my friend, collaborator and a very fine actress. Anne brought life to every room she entered with her tremendous energy and welcoming presence,” Tillotson said.