Autopsy Reveals Anne Heche Was Not Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol During Her Fatal Crash
glamour.comin August, according to an released by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Caused primarily by fatal burns and smoke inhalation, made worse by a sternal fracture from blunt trauma, Heche's death at the age of 53 was determined to have been accidental.
Heche never regained consciousness after suffering “a severe anoxic brain injury” during the , wherein she crashed her car into a Los Angeles home.
Initially, blood and urine samples taken after Heche was admitted to the hospital indicated the presence of benzoylecgonine, an inactive cocaine metabolite, as well as cannabinoids, benzodiazepine, and fentanyl.
These findings are “consistent with prior use" of cocaine and marijuana "but not at the time of injury.” Additional toxicology results confirmed the fentanyl found in Heche's system was administered for "therapeutic use" at the hospital.
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