Authorities end investigation into car crash that led to Anne Heche’s death
Police said there will be “no further investigative efforts” made into the car crash that led to Anne Heche’s death. (Momodu Mansaray/WireImage)
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has ended a felony investigation into the car accident that led to Anne Heche’s death.
The police department said it has concluded its probe into the 5 August crash that left Heche with serious brain injuries. Heche died from injuries sustained in the accident Friday (12 August) and has been on life support pending an evaluation for organ donation.
The LAPD told NBC News that there will be “no further investigative efforts made in this case” given Heche’s recent passing.
“Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case,” the police said. “When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”
Heche was driving a blue Mini Cooper on 5 August when it crashed into a Los Angeles home. The residence caught fire and resulted in Heche being hospitalised.
The LAPD later told CNN on Thursday (11 August) that a DUI investigation was ongoing. LAPD officer Jeff Lee told the outlet that the initial investigation was for a misdemeanour but had been escalated to a felony.
Lee said the decision had been made after Heche’s “blood showed signs of impairment” and a woman inside the house at the time of the crash suffered minor injuries.
Anne Heche’s death was confirmed the following day with her family describing the Donnie Brasco star as a “bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother and a loyal friend” in an emotional statement.
The family added it had “long been her wish” for her organs to be donated.
Heche is survived by her two children, Homer Lafoon and Atlas Heche Tupper.
Anne Heche was someone who was “brave, fearless and loved really hard”. (Getty/Michael Tullberg)
Homer expressed his deep sense of loss in an emotional statement, saying he hoped his mom was “beginning to explore” her “eternal freedom”.
“My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” Laffoon said. “After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness.”
He continued: “Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.
“Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me.
“I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time.
“Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”
Coleman “Coley” Laffoon – Anne Heche’s ex-husband and Homer’s father – described the actor as someone who was “brave, fearless and loved really hard” in a video posted to Instagram. He promised Heche that he will look after their son and that Homer will “be fine”.
“It’s hard for me, it’s hard for my family, it’s really hard for Homer but we got each other and we have a lot of support and we’re going to be OK,” he said.
