Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' as family release statement about anoxic brain injury

The family of Anne Heche have shared an upsetting update on the condition of the actress.

While the last update on the star was that she was still in a coma and had not regained consciousness following the devastating car crash accident late last week, her family have now said that she is “not expected to survive.”

In a statement, Anne’s family said through a representative that she had suffered “a severe anoxic brain injury” and was now being kept on life support to determine whether her organs were viable for donation.

The family said it had “long been her choice” to donate her organs.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

“Anne had a huge heart and touched everyone she met with her generous spirit,” the statement added. “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.”

What is an anoxic brain injury?

Anoxic brain injuries are caused by a complete lack of oxygen to the brain.

After about four minutes of losing oxygen supply, brain cells begin to die off, according to the Shepherd Center.

A full recovery from severe anoxic or hypoxic brain injury is rare, but many patients with mild anoxic or hypoxic brain injuries are capable of making a full or partial recovery.

Anne, a former partner of Ellen DeGeneres and known for works including the Psycho remake and Donnie Brasco, crashed her car into a house in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles, near her own home, at speed on Friday. The collision caused a fire that took an hour to extinguish, according to reports.

The occupant of the house escaped without injury. Her neighbours told Fox News that the car had ploughed right through the house. “The windows were broken, so I opened the back door of the car. [Anne] answered and said she was not OK, so that was tough. I know they didn’t get her out of the car until the fire was pretty much put out.”