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Anne Heche was 'not expected to survive' following fiery car crash that left her in a coma

After suffering a "severe anoxic brain injury" as a result of a car crash last week, Anne Heche died Sunday. She was 53.

The actor had remained in a coma in critical condition after the Aug. 5 crash. She had been declared brain dead and was on life support while being evaluated for organ donation, according to a statement received by USA TODAY from Heche's publicist.

"Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit," the statement said. "More than her extraordinary talent, she saw spreading kindness and joy as her life’s work — especially moving the needle for acceptance of who you love."

"She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light," the statement ends.

Interesting: Anne Heche was in a coma after a car crash. What to know about comas, how long they last.

Police investigated Heche for driving under the influence of drugs when she crashed. Detectives with a search warrant took a sample of Heche's blood and found narcotics in her system, LAPD spokesman Officer Jeff Lee told The Associated Press.

“As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case,” the department announced Friday. “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. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”

Anne Heche arrives at the premiere of "The Tender Bar" on Dec. 12, 2021, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Heche was in the hospital Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, following an accident in which her car smashed into a house and flames erupted.
Anne Heche arrives at the premiere of "The Tender Bar" on Dec. 12, 2021, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Heche was in the hospital Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, following an accident in which her car smashed into a house and flames erupted.

On Aug. 5, Heche's car smashed into a house in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles' westside. Flames erupted, and Heche, who was alone in the car, was pulled by firefighters from the vehicle embedded in the house. No one in the house was injured.

The full picture:Anne Heche's life before near-fatal wreck included mental health struggles, Ellen DeGeneres romance

Woman who lost her home is 'devastated'

The woman who lived in the home Heche hit has been identified as Lynne Mishele, according to Mishele's attorney Shawn Holley. Michele was a long-time renter of the house, the lawyer told USA TODAY.

Holley provided a statement on behalf of Mishele, saying she "is devastated by what happened to her on Friday—not only because she and her pets almost lost their lives, but because all of her property, including items of profound sentimental value, were destroyed."

Anne Heche was in coma, 'extreme critical condition' following crash

Heche had been in critical condition and had been in a coma since after the accident, with burns that required surgery and lung injuries that required the use of a ventilator to breathe.

Heche's manager Michael McConnell told USA TODAY on Aug. 7 that Heche was in "extreme critical condition."

TV video showed a damaged blue Mini Cooper Clubman being towed as firefighters put a woman in an ambulance.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said in a news release that the vehicle struck a two-story home, causing "structural compromise and erupting in heavy fire."

A day before the car crash, Heche talked 'bad days' in podcast episode

Heche detailed having a bad day to Heather Duffy Boylston, also a spokeswoman for the actor, on a "Better Together" podcast episode released the day before the crash. The episode was recorded Aug. 2, several days before it aired, podcasting company Straw Hut Media told USA TODAY.

The episode titled "Just the 2022 of Us" was removed from streaming services following the crash due to "inaccurate reporting that the episode was recorded on the day of the accident," Straw Hut Media rep Ryan Tillotson said. It is still posted on the Straw Hut website.

On the podcast, Heche said she had "a very unique day."

"I don’t know what happened, sometimes days just suck, and I don’t know if you ever have them," Heche said.

Heche and Duffy were drinking during the podcast, sharing that they "each have a bottle (of vodka) in front of us."

Straw Hat Media CEO Ryan Tillotson told USA TODAY in a statement Friday that Heche is "irreplaceable."

"More than a beloved host, Anne was my friend, collaborator, and a damn good actress. Anne added life to every room she entered with her tremendous energy and welcoming presence," Tillotson said. "I will remember her most for her big heart, her commitment to the people she loved, and the fearless way she fought for what she believed in."

The podcast producer continued: "'Better Together' wasn’t just a podcast, it was a belief system. She believed the best way to grow and improve yourself was to talk openly and share stories. We’re committed to continuing her legacy in that way."

More: '90210' actor Denise Dowse hospitalized in coma while fighting severe meningitis

Heche was among the most prominent film stars in Hollywood in the late 1990s, playing opposite actors including Johnny Depp ("Donnie Brasco") and Harrison Ford ("Six Days, Seven Nights"). In a 2001 memoir, she discussed her lifelong struggles with mental health.

She recently had recurring roles on the network TV series "Chicago P.D." and "All Rise," and in 2020 was a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars."

More from 2022: Anne Heche says romance with Ellen DeGeneres got her fired from 'multimillion-dollar movie deal'

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila, Charles Trepany, Naledi Ushe, Kim Willis and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY; Lynn Elber, Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anne Heche dies at 53: Actress suffered brain injury from car crash