According to PEOPLE
By Joelle Goldstein and Chelsea White
Anne Heche‘s death has officially been ruled an accident.
Heche died due to inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.
Her manner of death was listed as an accident and also noted that a “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma” was another “significant condition” from the devastating car crash she was involved in on Aug. 5.
On Aug. 5, Heche was behind the wheel of her Mini Cooper when she crashed into a Los Angeles home. Both her car and the residence caught fire.
The actress remained in a coma for nearly a week before it was revealed on Aug. 12 that she was “not expected to survive.” Heche was declared legally dead in the state of California on Aug. 12, though her heart continued to beat until Sunday in order to ensure her organs could be donated in accordance with her wishes.
“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” a rep for the star told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. “Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”
After Heche was declared legally dead, She was taken off life support on Aug. 14.
