In a statement, Heche’s son Homer Laffoon, 20, wrote: “My brother Atlas and I lost our mother. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully my mom is pain free and exploring what I like to envision as her eternal freedom.”
A week after the crash, Heche is “brain dead” but remains on life support, according to a statement from her family and friends shared with CNN by her rep.
Under California law, Heche is presumed legally dead due to her condition.
According to the representative, Heche was not taken off life support, giving them time to determine if she is eligible for organ donation.
The family said in an earlier statement Thursday night that it had been Heche’s decision to donate her organs “for a long time”.
“We have lost a bright light, a kind and cheerful soul, a loving mother and a devoted friend,” the family’s earlier statement said. “Anne will be missed dearly, but she lives on through her beautiful sons, iconic work and passionate advocacy. Her courage to always stand up for her truth and spread her message of love and acceptance will continue to have a lasting impact.”
According to the family representative, Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury as a result of the crash, which deprives the brain of oxygen.
According to Lee, a woman who was in the home at the time of the crash suffered minor injuries and sought medical attention.
In her message Thursday, Heche’s family and friends thanked her care team at Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital and recognized Heche’s “big heart” and “generous spirit.”
“More than her extraordinary talent, she saw her life’s work in spreading kindness and joy — specifically, moving the needle to accept who you love,” the statement said.
Heche rose to fame on the soap opera Another World, in which she played the dual roles of twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love from 1987 to 1991. She received a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance on the series.
Heche followed that success with numerous films, including Donnie Brasco, Wag the Dog, and Six Days Seven Nights with Harrison Ford.
In recent years, Heche has appeared on television shows such as The Brave, Quantico, and Chicago PD.
After the crash, there was a flood of support for the actress from the Hollywood community. Her ex and former Men in Trees co-star James Tupper, with whom she shares one of her two sons, wrote on Instagram: “Thoughts and prayers for this beautiful woman, actress and mother tonight, Anne Heche. We love you.”