'No evidence of impairment': Anne Heche's autopsy reveals actress was not high at the time of fatal car crash
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Recent findings from Anne Heche's final autopsy show that there was "no evidence of impairment" by illegal drugs at the time of her catastrophic and terrible car crash on August 5.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner's report, obtained by Page Six, states that the 'Six Days, Seven Nights' star tested positive for a number of drugs after a blood and urine test. She tested positive for benzoylecgonine, cocaine, fentanyl, and cannabis, yet the report claims that she wasn't intoxicated when the accident happened. The medical examiner reportedly said that benzoylecgonine is an inactive metabolite of the drug, and the same was expressed about the cannabinoids (marijuana) that were discovered in her system, according to Page Six. Regarding the fentanyl that was found, the report notes that it was given to Heche after she had already been taken to the hospital to help with her discomfort. The medical examiner determined that Heche's death was accidental, brought on by thermal and inhalation injuries, along with a fractured sternum brought on by physical force trauma.
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The impact of a driver's chest on the steering wheel frequently results in sternal fractures. According to the report, this kind of injury made breathing difficult for her while she was in her car. The medical examiner also calculated that it took first responders around 30 minutes to free Heche from her car after she became stuck inside.
The 'Psycho' star had second-degree burns to 12% of her body at that period, including the right side of her face/neck, right shoulder, left upper chest, and her upper extremities. Her clothes were tremendously burned off, and her Mini Cooper was completely burned.
Heche was seen driving erratically around neighborhood streets on August 5 before ramming into a house, according to TMZ. Although she was conscious as first responders put her in the ambulance, she rapidly fell into a coma and did not make it out alive. The coroner notes that Heche died on August 11 as she was declared brain dead when in a coma.
Heche, who in the '90s had a famed relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, used to be quite open about her struggles with addiction and substance abuse. "I drank. I smoked. I did drugs. I had sex with people. I did anything I could to get the shame out of my life," Heche told ABC News in 2001 and linked her behaviors to a difficult upbringing that included sexual assault.