December 6, 2022 |
6: 35pm

Anne Heche’s final autopsy reveals she had a cocktail of drugs in her system at the time of her fiery and fatal car crash in August.

According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner’s report, which was obtained Tuesday by the Post, the actress’ urine tested positive for cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and fentanyl.

However, it has been determined that the fentanyl was administered to Heche to alleviate her pain after she had already been admitted to the hospital.

Despite the presence of the various substances, the coroner concluded that there was “no evidence of impairment by illicit substances at the time of the crash,” meaning she was not “high” when she died.

The medical examiner ruled that Heche’s death was accidental and caused by inhalation and thermal injuries, with a fracture to her sternum caused by blunt force trauma also contributing.

Anne-Heche-autopsy-drugs-fatal-car-crash-0011

Anne Heche's final autopsy shows what drugs were in her system at the time of her fiery and fatal car crash.

Instagram/Anne Heche

Anne-Heche-autopsy-drugs-fatal-car-crash-0010

Anne Heche's final autopsy shows what drugs were in her system at the time of her fiery and fatal car crash.

Instagram/Anne Heche

Anne-Heche-autopsy-drugs-fatal-car-crash-0009

Anne Heche's final autopsy shows what drugs were in her system at the time of her fiery and fatal car crash.

Instagram/Anne Heche

Anne-Heche-autopsy-drugs-fatal-car-crash-0007

Anne Heche's final autopsy shows what drugs were in her system at the time of her fiery and fatal car crash.

Instagram/Anne Heche

Up Next

Long, 51, and Udoka, 45 called it quits less than...

Sternal fractures are often the result of a driver’s chest striking the steering wheel. Per the coroner, that type of injury made it “painful while breathing when she was in her vehicle.”

The medical examiner’s report also states that the actress was trapped in her car for about 30 minutes before first responders were able to extricate her.

During that time, Heche’s car was charred and her clothes were almost entirely burned off as she suffered second-degree burns on 12 percent of her body, including to her the right side of her face/neck, right shoulder, left upper chest and her upper extremities.

lynne mishele-93.jpg

The actress' urine tested positive for cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and fentanyl; however, the coroner concluded that there was "no evidence of impairment by illicit substances at the time of the crash."

GoFundMe

anne-heche-crash-scene-carnage-05.jpg

The actress' urine tested positive for cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and fentanyl; however, the coroner concluded that there was "no evidence of impairment by illicit substances at the time of the crash."

gofundme

anne-heche-car.jpg

The actress' urine tested positive for cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and fentanyl; however, the coroner concluded that there was "no evidence of impairment by illicit substances at the time of the crash."

Lynne Mishele/GoFundMe

Up Next

Long, 51, and Udoka, 45 called it quits less than...

On the afternoon of Aug. 5, the Emmy winner crashed her blue Mini Cooper into an LA home in the Mar Vista neighborhood, igniting a blaze.

According to eyewitnesses on the scene, Heche first slammed into the garage of a nearby apartment complex before backing up and speeding off.

She hit another vehicle before bulldozing into the house that caught fire.

Photos from the scene captured the actress being put on a stretcher and showed serious injuries to her back. Aerial shots documented smoke billowing out of the residence as well as numerous fire trucks surrounding the area.

Anne Heche in her Mini Cooper
Heche slammed her blue Mini Cooper into an LA home on Aug. 5, igniting a massive blaze.
TMZ

Heche’s rep told Page Six at the time that she had suffered a severe anoxic brain injury, a significant pulmonary injury that required mechanical ventilation and burns that required surgical intervention. The actress slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness.

While law enforcement officials were investigating the accident as a potential felony DUI, reports surfaced claiming Heche was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash. That has now been confirmed.

The mother of two was declared brain dead on Aug. 12 and taken off life support on Aug. 15 after matching with an organ donor recipient. She was 53.

Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche
The coroner’s report also states that the actress, who famously dated Ellen DeGeneres, was trapped in her vehicle for about 30 minutes before first responders were able to extricate her.
Corbis via Getty Images

Heche, who had a high-profile romance with Ellen DeGeneres in the ’90s, used to speak openly about her battle with 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,” she told ABC News in 2001, explaining that her choices were a result of a painful childhood marked by sexual abuse.