Anne Heche’s life support to be switched off as drugs found in braindead actress’ system

Anne Heche has been declared brain dead and is being kept on life support to see if her organs can be donated, her heartbroken family has revealed

Anne Heche has officially been declared brain dead and will have her life support turned off, one week after her horror car crash.

The actress' family revealed she is being kept on life support to see if her organs are viable to be donated as they paid a heartbreaking tribute to the 'courageous' 53-year-old.

It comes as the Los Angeles Police Department revealed preliminary blood tests have revealed the presence of drugs in Anne's system when her Mini Cooper struck a two-storey home in the city on August 5.

Anne is in a coma after suffering a severe anoxic brain injury, which is caused by a sustained lack of oxygen to the brain.

LAPD spokesman Matthew Cruz confirmed the crash is being investigated as a felony driving-under-the-influence (DUI) traffic collision.

Anne Heche has officially been declared brain dead, one week

Image:

( Getty Images for Mammoth Media Institute)

Police are doing additional testing to rule out any substances that were administered in hospital, which could have been prescribed as pain medication after the accident.

The LAPD said: "This case is still an active and ongoing investigation and is currently in the process of gathering additional evidence; to include final toxicology results, and medical records from both parties involved.

"It is the intent of the investigating Detectives to present this case to the appropriate prosecuting office: the Los Angeles County District Attorney or the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office once all pertinent evidence has been gathered."

Speaking to PA, Mr Cruz added preliminary blood tests "did show signs of narcotics".

Anne's Mini Cooper smashed into a two-storey home in Los Angeles last week

Image:

( GoFundMe)

Anne's family released a statement on Thursday, revealing the actress has suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and isn't expected to survive.

They said in a statement: "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."

They continued to say there are plans in place to possibly donate the star's organs, adding: "It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable."

Pictures of the burnt out Mini Cooper

Image:

( CNN)

The statement added: "Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit. More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life's work - especially moving the needle for acceptance of who you love.

"She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light."

Her family also put on record its thanks to the "dedicated staff and wonderful nurses" at the Grossman Burn Centre at West Hills Hospital who had taken care of her.

The incident occurred a week ago on the morning of August 5 in the Mar Vista neighbourhood of Los Angeles. It is reported she crashed her car twice – first into an apartment complex and then a second time into another home.

It's reported the second crash ignited a fire and caused "significant damage".

Footage and images from the scene showed Anne being taken away in an ambulance and a witness told TMZ at the time: "She was driving a blue Mini Cooper and crashed into the garage of an apartment complex."

They added: "Residents of the apartment complex tried getting Anne out of the vehicle but she put the car in reverse and then sped off. A short time later, she crashed into a nearby home, igniting a fire. The fire was significant and engulfed the house."

Anne is the former partner of US talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres (pictured 1997)

Image:

( Getty Images)

Anne is the former partner of US talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres and dated the star between 1997 and 2000.

The TV star revealed this week the pair are no longer in touch, but she sent her well wishes.

When asked in a video shared by the Daily Mail if she wanted to send her ex any well wishes, Ellen responded: "Sure, I don't want anyone to be hurt."

Anne is also known for her roles in hit films such as Donnie Brasco, Cedar Rapids and the 1998 Psycho remake.

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