Actress Anne Heche’s ex-husband posted a heartbreaking tribute to the star the day after it was revealed she had died after the May 5 car crash.
In California, declaring brain dead means the person is presumed dead, although Heche was kept alive to preserve their organs while authorities worked to find people who could use them.
Heche was taken off life support on Sunday afternoon after health officials found suitable organ recipients more than a week after she remained in her burning car for half an hour while 59 firefighters tried to save her.
She was 53 years old.
Surgeons removed several organs over the weekend, unnamed sources told TMZ on Sunday, though they didn’t reveal which and how many.
Heche is survived by her sons, Homer and Atlas.
Homer’s father and Heche’s ex-husband, Coleman ‘Coley’ Laffoon, posted an emotional tribute to the actress on Saturday.
In the video posted to his Instagram, Laffoon says, “After Anne’s passing, I just wanted to say a few things: First, I love her and I miss her and I always will. Secondly, Homer is fine.’
“He’s grieving, of course, and it’s tough, it’s really tough, I guess anyone can imagine that,” Laffoon continued. “But he is surrounded by his family and he will be fine.
“So for all the people checking in, thank you for checking in, showing us your heart, offering prayers and everything.
‘It is so beautiful. Many Thanks.
Anne Heche’s husband Coley Laffoon was spotted leaving his Beverly Hills home on Friday
Laffoon also posted this photo showing Heche with the couple’s son Homer, who was born in March 2002
In 2000, Heche left Ellen DeGeneres for cinematographer Coley Laffoon, and the couple married in September 2001
The father of Heche’s other son, James Tupper, posted a photo of his late partner on Instagram on Saturday with the caption, “I love you forever.”
He continued, “It’s hard for me, it’s hard for me, it’s hard for my family, it’s really hard for Homer but we have each other and we have a lot of support and we’re going to be okay.”
Laffoon added that he believes “Anne is pain free and enjoying her experience whatever comes next in her journey.
“She came in hot and had a lot to say and she was brave and fearless, really loving and never afraid to let us know what she thinks and what she believes in,” he noted.
‘It was all about love, so goodbye, Anne.
“Love you, thanks for the good times, there have been so many.
“And in the meantime I’ve had our son and he’s going to be fine.”
Laffoon then posted a photo showing Heche with the couple’s son shortly after he was born in 2002.
He wrote in the caption: “It’s important to remember true love at the best of times. Thank you Anne Peace on your journey.’
Among the thousands who commented on the picture was actress Selma Blair.
Blair wrote: “That starlight woman. She has done wonderful things for suffering people in her life. She loves these guys. And love is what is now. Lots of support from us. I’m sorry for your loss.’
The father of Heche’s other son, James Tupper, posted a photo of his late partner to Instagram on Saturday with the caption, “Love you forever.”
Anne Heche, 53, was due to be taken off life support on Sunday after health officials found suitable organ recipients
Heche had been on life support for over a week after crashing her blue Mini Cooper into a Los Angeles home and suffering a severe anoxic brain injury and lung damage from smoke inhalation. She is pictured here being carried on a stretcher
According to authorities, Heche first crashed into a garage, then sped away from the scene, speeding at 90 mph into the two-story home of Lynne Mishele, who was injured so badly that police launched a felony investigation.
The chilling video showed the actress driving at high speed straight onto a busy road shortly before the accident.
It took 59 firefighters over an hour to put out the burning house – and half an hour to extricate Heche from the burning car that exploded in the accident.
A small bottle of vodka was pictured in Heche’s car, but preliminary blood tests done after her hospitalization found no alcohol in her system.
The actress turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the psychological effects of her traumatic childhood, during which she was sexually abused by her secretly gay father, who later died of AIDS.
On Thursday, Heche’s team announced that she “would not survive” the injuries she sustained in the accident, and the next day her family released a statement saying she was now presumed dead
“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and very cheerful soul, a loving mother and a faithful friend.
“Anne will be missed dearly, but she lives on through her beautiful sons, iconic work and passionate advocacy.
“Her bravery in always standing in her truth and spreading her message of love and acceptance will continue to have a lasting impact.”
A small bottle of vodka was pictured in Heche’s car, but preliminary blood tests done after her hospitalization found no alcohol in her system. However, it was revealed that she had cocaine and fentanyl in her system at the time the blood was drawn at the hospital
Authorities say Heche crashed into a two-story house in Mar Vista on August 5 at 140 km/h
The force of the crash triggered a large fire that took 59 firefighters an hour to extinguish
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the crash caused “structural impairment and the outbreak of a serious fire.” Heche’s Mini Clubman can be seen here in the aftermath
In the aftermath, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that it was dropping its felony investigation into the crash.
“As of today, no further investigative efforts will be made in this case,” the LAPD said in a statement.
“Any information or records requested by authorities prior to this turn of events will continue to be collected as formalities and included in the overall case. If a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present them for examination.’
They told People this means that “no further investigative efforts will be made in this case,” but “any information or records requested prior to this turn of events will continue to be collected for formalities as they arrive.” ‘
A neighbor’s video of the aftermath of the crash shows smoke billowing from the home in Mar Vista as firefighters continued to battle the blaze
The house was eventually deemed uninhabitable, leaving Lynne Mishele without her belongings
Luckily, Mishele was in a separate part of the house with her dogs when the accident happened that morning
The home Heche crashed into on August 5 is owned by Jennifer Durand but was rented out by Lynne Mishele.
Luckily, Mishele was in a different part of the house when the crash happened and escaped unharmed, along with her two dogs, Bree and Rueban, and their pet turtle, Marley.
But the crash left the house uninhabitable as it compromised the building’s structural integrity and Mishele was forced to vacate the house right after the crash.
Along with losing the home, Mishele also “lost her entire life of belongings, memorabilia, all of the equipment for her business including her laptop and iPad, all of her clothing and basic needs,” according to a GoFundMe set up for her.
“With the help of the fire department, she was able to pull some damaged memorabilia out of the rubble. Everything else is gone.”
Mishele was photographed watching in disbelief as her life’s work erupted in a fireball after the actress ripped it through at breakneck speed.
She was spotted on the sidewalk outside with her hands in her pockets, looking stunned as firefighters battled the huge blaze that took an hour to extinguish.
But in a video statement on Instagram, Mishele expressed her sadness for Heche and her family.
“The news of Anne Heche’s death is devastating,” she said in the video.
“Her family and friends and especially her children have truly suffered a great loss and my heart goes out to them.
“This whole situation is tragic and there really are no words. Sending love to all involved.”
Lynne Mishele, who rented the home, later released a video statement expressing her sadness at Heche’s death