American actress Anne Heche has been officially declared brain dead, a spokesperson for her family confirmed Friday. According to the law in the state of California, this means that she is legally dead. Her body is still being kept alive, however, to see if she can be an organ donor. Heche suffered severe brain damage in a car accident last week and has been in a coma ever since. She is 53 years old.
Heche was seriously injured last week when her car crashed into a home in Los Angeles. The actress suffered burns all over her body and had to be put on life support immediately. Police reported that traces of narcotics were found in her blood. Earlier it was said that her situation was stable, but on the night of Monday to Tuesday, a spokesman announced that Heche was in a coma. It became clear on Friday that she would not come out of it anymore.
Heche became known through the soap opera Another World. After that, she played in the movie Donnie Brasco and series like Ally McBeal and Nip/Tuck. This year the actress played in a television series and a film. Heche also became known for her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. She leaves behind two sons.