LA County coroner rules Anne Heche’s death an accident

The cause of death of actress Anne Heche was ruled an accident Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Heche’s car crashed into a Los Angeles home and erupted into flames on August 5. After the accident, Heche experienced a “severe anoxic brain injury,” depriving her brain of oxygen, among other critical injuries following the crash, her family and friends said in a statement to CNN.

She died Sunday after being taken off life support, according to a representative for her family.

Actress Anne Heche poses for a portrait in 2015.

Heche, seen here in 1990 with Russell Todd, won a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance on the soap opera "Another World." She played twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love.

Heche, right, appears with Catherine Keener in the 1996 film "Walking and Talking."

Heche, left, holds hands with comedian Ellen DeGeneres at the world premiere of the movie "Face/Off" in 1997. The two dated for several years.

Heche stars with Tommy Lee Jones in the 1997 film "Volcano."

Heche and Johnny Depp in a scene from 1997's "Donnie Brasco."

Heche appears with Robert De Niro in 1998's "Wag the Dog."

Heche and Vince Vaughn in 1998's "Psycho."

Heche stars with Harrison Ford in the 1998 film "Six Days, Seven Nights."

Heche signs a fan's hat at the "Get Real" premiere in 1999.

Heche, right, directs Sharon Stone in a segment of the 2000 film "If These Walls Could Talk 2. DeGeneres, center, was also in the movie.

From left, Stone, Michelle Williams and Heche hold Lucy Awards that were awarded in 2000 to the creators and cast of "If These Walls Could Talk" and "If These Walls Could Talk 2."

Heche married Coley Laffoon in 2001. They had a son together, Homer, before divorcing in 2009.

Heche and Laffoon walk with their son in 2002.

Heche attends the Los Angeles premiere of "American Splendor" in 2003.

Heche and boyfriend James Tupper arrive at an Emmy Awards reception in 2010. They had a son together, Atlas.

Heche and actress Conchata Ferrell perform at a theater in Santa Monica, California, during a cancer benefit in 2010.

Heche, center, appears on an episode of "Save Me" in 2013.

Heche and Juliette Goglia work with Michael J. Fox on a 2013 episode of "The Michael J. Fox Show."

Heche on a 2015 episode of "Quantico."

Heche takes a photo with her son Homer in 2017.

Heche takes a bow with other actors during a curtain call for the "Twentieth Century" benefit concert reading in 2019. Earlier in her career, Heche appeared in the Broadway play and was nominated for a Tony Award.

Heche dances with Keo Motsepe on the TV competition "Dancing With the Stars" in 2020.

Heche appears in an episode of "All Rise" in 2021.

Heche attends the Directors Guild of America Awards in March.

In pictures: Actress Anne Heche

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The coroner cited inhalation and thermal injuries as the cause of death. Other “significant conditions” in her death included a “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma,” according to the report posted online.

Heche’s body has since been released from the coroner’s office, the report says.

CNN has reached out to Heche’s representatives for comment.

Heche was an award-winning actress who made her TV debut in 1987 on the soap opera “Another World,” a role for which she won a Daytime Emmy. After leaving the show, she began her film career, appearing in acclaimed films including “Donnie Brasco” and “Wag the Dog.”

Heche also appeared in films like the 1998 “Psycho” remake and the rom-com “Six Days Seven Nights” alongside Harrison Ford. She also directed a segment of a 2000 HBO film “If These Walls Could Talk 2” and in her 2001 memoir, she revealed her lifelong struggles with mental illnesses after being abused by her father.

CNN’s Scottie Andrew and Chloe Melas contributed to this report.