Anne Heche remains on life support despite being 'legally dead' to see if she is a potential match for organ donation, her representatives have confirmed.
The actress is classified as "legally dead according to California law" after suffering a "severe anoxic brain injury" in a car crash last Friday. The 53-year-old was taken to hospital following the crash but has since been found to be "brain dead".
"While Anne is legally dead according to California law, her heart is still beating, and she has not been taken off life support so that One Legacy (a national organ recovery organisation) can see if she is a match for organ donation," a representative for Anne told the PA news agency.
Following the update, a statement has been released on behalf of her family and friends.
"Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. 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."
Her family had previously said it had "long been her choice to donate her organs".
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) previously confirmed to PA that the crash was being investigated as a felony driving-under-the-influence (DUI) traffic collision.
An LAPD spokesman said preliminary blood tests had revealed the presence of drugs in Heche's system, but added that additional testing was required to rule out any substances that were administered in the hospital.
Anne’s friend Nancy broke the news of her passing as she shared a series of photos of herself with the actress on her Instagram. She wrote: "Heaven has a new Angel.
"My loving , kind , fun , endearing and beautiful friend @anneheche went to heaven. I will miss her terribly and cherish all the beautiful memories we have shared.
"Anne was always the kindest, most thoughtful person who always brought out the best in me.
"She was so supportive with anything she could do to help @racetoerasems and would always say yes when she knew she could contribute something with her time, talent and creative genius to help find a cure for MS . My heart is broken."
Anne is the former partner of US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and is known for films including Donnie Brasco, Cedar Rapids and the 1998 Psycho remake.
She was officially declared brain dead after her Mini Cooper smashed into a two-storey house and was engulfed in flames on August 5 in the Mar Vista neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
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