The world has lost another angel!
Anne Heche, an actress considered to be one of the most prominent figures of the 90s, recently passed away following a tragic accident that left the 53-year-old in a critical state.
The Hollywood veteran began fighting for her life on Friday, August 5, after crashing her blue Mini Cooper into a Los Angeles home. Keep reading to find out more about the incident.
August 5, 2022, At 5:31 PM PT: Anne Heche’s Accident Reported
Following news of the Tony nominee’s accident, The Blast reported the possibility that the “Men in Trees” star’s mental health may have triggered the tragic incident. Released footage of the car crash captured the blonde beauty driving in a disoriented manner down a residential area in Los Angeles.
Because she drove haphazardly with the speed of a raging bull, the “Spread” star lost control of the wheel and slammed her car through the walls of a house. This unfortunate collision sparked a chain reaction that resulted in a blazing inferno, reducing the vehicle and building to charred pieces.
Given the severity of the situation, eyewitnesses could only watch in fear as the flames consumed Heche until the timely arrival of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The LAFD revealed in their report that it took 59 brave firefighters around 65 minutes to “access, confine, and fully extinguish” the burning mess before rescuing the Primetime Emmy Award nominee.
In the clip, the Ohio native appeared badly burnt and in severe pain as she trashed around on the stretcher while authorities tried to place her in an ambulance. It seemed the “Donnie Brasco” actress was not in the right state of mind as a bystander disclosed that the accident occurred during Heche’s speedy getaway after crashing into the garage of an apartment complex.
August 6, 2022, At 11:14 AM PT: The ‘Volcano’ Star’s Activities Before Accident Revealed
Driving under the influence has never been a great idea, and the heartbreaking death of the “Love and Heche” co-host proves it. A day after suffering two car crashes, The Blast revealed that the Ohio native enjoyed one too many shots before getting into her blue Mini Cooper.
During an episode of her “Better Together” podcast, which aired on the day of the accident, the TV personality noted she had been drinking wine and vodka on show. The entertainer explained that she turned to alcohol after experiencing a “rocky day,” which began when her apartment building’s residents ruined a meditation session.
According to the 53-year-old, this incident marked one of her several “bad days.” However, the “Psycho” star refused to share the reason behind these negative emotions. It seemed the Hollywood veteran continued drinking on that fateful day as a second video captured the actress speeding down residential streets in the Venice Beach neighborhood.
In a slow-mo version of the clip, the Saturn Award nominee looked agitated in the driver’s seat. A similar flushed expression was seen in a picture taken before the accident. The mother-of-two posed in her blue Mini Cooper with her only companion being a bottle with a red cap, presumably alcohol, tucked in the car’s cup holder.
Later On August 6, 2022: Co-star & Exes Share Their Love
While doctors struggled to keep Heche alive in her critical state, The Blast shared the heartwarming messages that poured out from some of the actress’s former flames and co-workers. Among the numerous supporters was three-time Golden Globe Award winner Alec Baldwin, who starred alongside the deceased in the 90s thriller “The Juror.”
The “Boss Baby” voice actor expressed his love and wishes for his former co-star in an Instagram video, where he sang his old pal’s praises. As a Hollywood veteran, Baldwin has worked with various talented women in the industry. However, the “Beetlejuice” star believed the late actress stood out from the pack with her irresistible charm.
The “Six Days, Seven Nights” star’s ex-partner James Tupper and Thomas Jane joined the well-wishing wagon with touching messages. Tupper and the “Call Me Crazy” author began their relationship in 2006 after meeting on the ABC show “Men in Trees.” The pair dated until 2018 and welcomed a son named Atlas.
Taking to Instagram, the “Aftermath” actor shared a picture of the deceased posing with their son and captioned this beautiful moment, “Thoughts and prayers for this lovely woman, actress, and mother tonight, Anne Heche. We love you.” Jane, who reportedly started dating the Ohio native in 2019, released a heartfelt statement to sources. In which the 53-year-old offered his prayers to the woman he tagged as “one of the true talents of her generation.”
August 8, 2022: LAPD Obtains Warrant For Blood Extraction And Testing
After the harrowing accident, The Blast shared that Heche’s representative had opened up about the actress’s damages in a candid statement. According to the spokesperson, the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” star had slipped into a coma following significant pulmonary injuries and severe burns from the crash.
The 53-year-old required mechanical ventilation to survive while her scorched skin needed surgical treatment. However, staying on life support did not exempt the TV personality from facing the law. Days after the incident, an LAPD Officer named Annie Hernandez revealed that Heche was under investigation for “misdemeanor DUI” alongside “hit and run” charges.
Authorities reportedly obtained a warrant for a blood extraction on the day of the accident. However, the results of the alcohol test were still pending at the time. On the other hand, Lynne Mishele, the victim of the actress’s reckless driving, barely escaped with her life. The homeowner had been present when the collision occurred but managed to escape the fire.
Unfortunately, Mishele lost her house and most of her belongings. A situation that inspired the woman’s neighbors, John and Jennifer Durand, to set up a GoFundMe page for the reconstruction of the destroyed property.
August 9, 2022: Ellen DeGeneres Breaks Her Silence On Heche’s Accident
When it comes to the late actress’s former lovers, Ellen DeGeneres is probably the most famous. However, the once dynamic duo did not have the best post-breakup relationship. As shared by The Blast, the former queen of daytime TV was spotted on a lunch date with a male companion at the famous True Lune restaurant.
As the stand-up personality exited the building to her car, a cameraman followed the “Finding Nemo” voice actress to ask if DeGeneres had information about Heche’s condition. Shockingly, the former talk show host admitted that she had no clue because the ex-partners no longer communicated with each other.
Despite this blunt revelation, the Louisiana native assured viewers that she had nothing but love for the “Hour of Lead” actress and never wished for her to get hurt. The former lovers began dating in 1997, the same year the 64-year-old came out as gay. After going public with their relationship, the pair faced harsh criticism for being a same-sex couple.
Heche previously highlighted one of these challenges in an emotional interview. According to the deceased, producers threatened to terminate her FOX contract because of her relationship with DeGeneres. These showrunners stated they would end the Ohio native’s career if she attended the 1997 movie “Volcano” premiere with the TV personality.
When the “Save Me” star chose to ignore the warning, the then-couple were kicked out of the event. Unfortunately, the pair’s iconic romance ended in 2000.
August 11, 2022, At 10:51 AM PT: The ’13 Minutes’ Star’s Situation Takes A Wrong Turn
The Blast previously shared that Heche’s situation turned grim after information about the authorized blood test showed that the GLAAD Media Awards winner had consumed addictive substances. The LAPD confirmed that they did not find traces of alcohol but cocaine and fentanyl in the actress’s body system. These drugs might have influenced the Ohio native’s disoriented driving.
However, sources explained that hospitals used fentanyl as a pain medication and stressed the need for more tests to determine if Heche had taken the drug at the time of the accident. However, it was too late for the Daytime Emmy Award winner to have any regrets, as the accident left her with a severe anoxic brain injury.
A representative for the actress revealed that the 53-year-old’s survival chances were low, seemingly implying the Heche family had given up hope. According to the spokesperson, plans were made to preserve the “Girl Fight” Star’s suitable organs because she wished to be an organ donor upon her death.
On behalf of the TV personality’s family, the rep thanked everyone for their prayers and heartfelt messages. The mediator’s gratitude also extended to the “dedicated and wonderful staff” at the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills hospital.
August 12, 2022: Anne Heche Passes After Being Taken Off Life Support
On Friday, The Blast announced that sources had reported the death of the “Return to Paradise” star at around 1 PM ET. According to these reports, Heche’s family had taken the TV personality off life support after doctors determined which of the actress’s organs were viable for donation.
In a second update, a representative for the mother-of-two confirmed that the Ohio native was “brain dead.” This term served as the legal definition of death under California law. However, the “Girls in Prison” star’s spokesperson revealed that the 53-year-old remained on life support machines to preserve her organs for future donations.
In conclusion, the “DWTS” alum’s brain no longer functioned. However, her heart kept beating through the use of technology to ensure her final wish to be an organ donor would be realized.
In the farewell message shared by Heche’s spokesperson, the individual stated that the entertainer would be missed for her light and generosity. According to the representative, the Satellite Award nominee changed lives with her kindness and would be remembered not only for her talent but for the goodness in her heart.
The deceased left behind two children, her sons Homer and Atlas, whom she welcomed from different relationships. Her first child, Homer, was born during her marriage to ex-husband Coley Laffoon. The thriller queen married her ex-partner from 2001 to 2009, and their son was born on March 2, 2002.
Our thoughts are with the family and may her soul rest in peace!
