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'This tragedy is HAUNTING': Anne Heche's ex Ellen DeGeneres, Selma Blair pay tribute as star dies at 53

'This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love,' said Ellen DeGeneres

MAR VISTA, LOS ANGELES: Emmy-winning actress Anne Heche, 53, died on August 12 almost a week after she endured severe injuries in a fiery car crash on August 5. The actress suffered brain injuries when she crashed into a Los Angeles residence and set fire to both the home and vehicle. The news of her demise was confirmed by one of her close friends, Nancy Davis, who wrote on Instagram that she will miss her "terribly" and cherish all the "beautiful memories" that they shared over the years.

Hollywood celebrites, friends, colleagues and fellow entertainers took to social media to mourn and pay tribute to the late star, including her ex Ellen DeGeneres saying, "This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love." The couple dated from 1997 until 2000, becoming one of Hollywood’s most famous same-sex couples. Selma Blair wrote a heartfelt comment on Instagram tribute sharing, “Dear Nancy. A beautiful love letter to Anne. Since I came to Hollywood, I met so many dear people who loved anne from way back. And continue to. I was always told how much I would love her and she remained a light to admire. She clearly is one of the great actresses of our time and this tragedy is haunting. She was remarkable. And perhaps very complicated but seemed to fight like hell to do the best for everyone she loved. May her memory be a blessing. Love and support to all who knew and loved @anneheche. Comfort to her boys. Love."

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"Her eldest son, Homer, also shared a statement with PEOPLE, saying in part, "After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom."

On Thursday night, "family and friends of Anne Heche" released a statement detailing the heartbreaking prognosis. "We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne's recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital," read the statement. "Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive," the statement continued. "It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable."

"Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit. 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," concluded the family and friend's statement. "She will be remembered for her courageous honesty and dearly missed for her light."

Following her crash after authorities obtained a blood sample, determined that the actress was "under the influence of cocaine," per TMZ, and possibly fentanyl as well. The outlet notes that fentanyl is sometimes used for pain management in hospitals, so further testing will need to occur to determine if it was in her system at the time of the accident. while Heche is legally dead according to California law, her heart is still beating and she’s remaining on life support until she’s determined as a match for organ donation.

Heche first came to prominence with a dual role as twins Vicky Hudsn and Marley Love on 'Another World'. She also picked up her first awards for this role, including a Daytime Emmy Award and two Soap Opera Digest Awards. She got the chance to star opposite Cher and Demi Moore for HBO's 'If These Walls Could Talk'. Her first major big-screen production was opposite Johnny Depp in 'Donnie Brasco' in 1997. She got her first starring role opposite Harrison Ford in the 1998 film 'Six Days, Seven Nights' and took on the role Janet Leigh made famous in Gus Van Sant's 'Psycho'. This was at the same time that her high-profile relationship with Ellen DeGeneres went public. In 2002, Heche made her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer-prize winning 'Proof'. During this decade she also dabbled back on television, with recurring roles on 'Everwood' and 'Nip/Tuck' before landing her own series in 2006, 'Men in Trees'. Her upcoming movie ‘Girl in Room 13’ is slated to release in September 2022 and will be premiering exclusively on Lifetime. In the wake of the tragedy, many celebrities across Hollywood shared their condolences and remembered her on social media. Filmmaker James Gunn tweeted, "Honest to God, I think maybe the best acting performance I've ever seen in my life was Anne Heche in PROOF on Broadway. #RIP"

Nancy shared took to Instagram to share her beautiful relation with Anne Heche, "Heaven has a new Angel . My loving , kind , fun , endearing and beautiful friend @anneheche went to heaven. I will miss her terribly and cherish all the beautiful memories we have shared . Anne was always the kindest, most thoughtful person who always brought out the best in me. She was so supportive with anything she could do to help with my charity @racetoerasems and more recently @cureaddictionnow and would always say yes when she knew she could contribute something with her time, talent and creative genius to help find a cure for MS . My heart is broken 💔💔💔#heavenhasanewangel #heavenhasanotherangel😇"

Inaba, 54, also shared a lengthier post sharing a photo of Heche with her hand against a window, Inaba wrote on her own Instagram page "This was a post by @AnneHeche a while back. I remember seeing it and being so happy for her. She looks at peace with herself and the world around her. She seems hopeful and free. I've been thinking of her since her accident last week and like many of you, my heart is heavy... Anne was one of the stars on @dancingwiththestars that truly touched my heart. Her personal story was one that reached into my heart and squeezed it. I could feel the pain she felt, and I could also feel her resilient and courageous soul. And it was touching."

"I had no idea all that she had gone through in this lifetime and I felt a connection to her and the struggles she faced in life. Despite her trials and tribulations, she had a bright light when she came out on that stage to dance," she went on. "Every time she performed, there was a sense of complete joy and a celebration of life. It was pure. And it was special.✨❤️" Inaba said she attempted to connect with Heche "a few times" to appear on her podcast but it never happened and went on to describe how "heartbroken" she was for Heche and "those who love her."

"It is a tragedy in the fullest sense of the word. Not only for her but for the people who were also hurt and lost things in this incident. Lives are changed forever. In an instant…" she wrote. "I swallow the tears that keep wanting to flow when I think of her in that burning car, wondering what happened right before the accident. It seems from the outside like there was some sort of emotional distress. Pain. Panic. Fear. Frustration. Disorientation. Sadness. I don't know… none of us do."

"I just hope she can feel the outpouring of love. And I wish the best outcome for her," she added. "Anne, I just wanted to say I'm grateful to have had the chance to SEE you. You had a great impact on many of us not only with your talent, but also with your free spirit.Thank you for the unique being you are. I'm praying for you. And so are many others. I hope you can feel it." 

Sherrilyn Ifill tweeted, "Just very sad. #AnneHeche struggled with many issues over her career but she was an astonishingly talented actress. I first saw her back in the day on the soap Another World when every time she appeared on screen it took things to another level. RIP." Her co-star Isiah Whitlock Jr wrote, "RIP Anne Heche. My heart breaks. One of the kindest and most talented actors I’ve ever worked with. God bless you. You will be greatly missed." Alamo Drafthouse shared, "RIP Anne Heche - a trailblazing, unabashedly queer performer who left behind an eclectic body of work. Here's four performances & films that we recommend seeking out: WILD SIDE ('95) WALKING AND TALKING ('96) VOLCANO ('98) BIRTH ('04)"