Anne Heche Not Expected To Survive Injuries Suffered In Car Crash

Anne Heche is will be taken off of life support and isn't expected to survive the events of the tragic car accident

By Charlene Badasie | Published

anne heche

Anne Heche is facing a rather grim prognosis following a horrific car crash last week. After being in a coma since being admitted to West Hills Hospital, the actress has been pronounced brain dead. Now, her family is making the difficult decision to take her off life support. She is currently being kept on a ventilator until medical staff can determine if any undamaged organs can be donated, something which has been a choice for a long time.

“We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne’s recovery,” a representative for the Emmy winner’s family said in a statement via Deadline. “Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive.” Those close to the actress also extended their thanks to the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for her at the Grossman Burn Center.

Anne Heche, who touched everyone she met with her generous spirit, will receive a hero’s goodbye reserved for donor patients from hospital staff as she is wheeled into the operating room on her final journey. Described as so much more than her extraordinary talent, the 53-year-old saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work. “Especially for moving the needle for acceptance of who you love,” the statement continued. “She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light.”

Anne Heche had been hospitalized after crashing her car into a Mar Vista house which ignited as a result. Luckily, the owner and her pet were able to evacuate. Firefighters battled the blaze, which engulfed the car and house for 65 minutes until she could be safely pulled from the wreckage. The Gracie’s Choice star was reportedly able to communicate at the time of her rescue. She lost consciousness shortly thereafter and never regained it. She has been in an extremely critical condition ever since.

There had been a lot of speculation about Anne Heche’s condition before the crash. The actress was filmed driving erratically and speeding shortly before the crash. She was also involved in another minor accident a few blocks before slamming into the house. After being hospitalized, a blood test was performed on the Catfight star. As suspected, the results revealed the presence of narcotics, Officer Lizeth Lomeli of the LAPD told Deadline on August 11th.

Meanwhile, Anne Heche recently wrapped filming Girl in Room 13. The Lifetime movie explores the dark underworld of the $150-billion-dollar human trafficking industry. Executive Vice President and head of programming for Lifetime Networks, Amy Winter addressed the star’s accident during a panel for the film at the Television Critics Association virtual press tour. She said the film was still scheduled to premiere in September as planned since the project is important to Heche.

Directed by Elisabeth Rohm, the film stars Anne Heche stars alongside a cast that includes Larissa Dias, Max Montesi, and Matt Hamilton. At the panel, Rohm also spoke about her dedication to getting the story out. “We all sought to make a film that would bring attention to this appalling issue of human sex trafficking,” she explained. “We hope that this film reached you and that you are just as inspired as Anne was to help us with our mission to stop violence against women.”