Anne Heche Autopsy Reveals She Was Not Impaired By Drugs At Time Of Crash

Anne Heche was not impaired by illicit substances at the time of her Aug. 5 deadly car crash, an autopsy and toxicology report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office confirmed.

According to the autopsy report, obtained by USA Today and CBS News, a urine toxicology screen showed the presence of “cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and fentanyl” in Heche’s urine.

However, the drugs were in her system from previous use, and fentanyl was administered to her after she had been admitted to the hospital to alleviate her pain.

This means there was “no evidence of impairment by illicit substances at the time of the crash,” the coroner’s office said in the report issued Tuesday.

“The urine drug specimen that detected fentanyl was obtained after she received treatment at the hospital and therefore is consistent with therapeutic use,” the report stated.

Alcohol was not detected in Heche’s system, according to the report.

The autopsy report also confirmed that her death was accidental and was caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. The actress had burns over 12% of her body.

According to the coroner’s office, Heche also suffered a sternal fracture due to blunt trauma, but it was not attributed as a cause of her death.

Heche died at 53 nine days after crashing her car into a home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista on Aug. 5, causing both her vehicle and the residence to burst into flames. She was trapped in her car for approximately half an hour before first responders were able to extricate her.

It reportedly took nearly 60 firefighters to extinguish the fire. No one else was injured in the incident.

Heche suffered a “severe anoxic brain injury” as a result of the accident and fell into a coma, USA Today reported.

Heche never regained consciousness. She was declared brain dead on Aug. 11 but was put on life support for three more days to allow for her organs to be donated.

“We have 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,” Heche’s rep said in a statement at the time. “Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”