On Aug. 5, Heche was behind the wheel of her Mini Cooper when she crashed into a Los Angeles home. Both her car and the residence caught fire.
While a blood test showed that Heche did not have any alcohol in her system at the time of the crash, the test could not be performed for hours, so it was uncertain whether or not she had been drinking. She did test positive for cocaine and fentanyl.
Her eldest son, Homer Laffoon, confirmed her death in a statement on Aug. 12.“My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness,” he wrote. “Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom.
“Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”
Days later, Laffoon, 20, filed paperwork in Los Angeles Superior Court to be named administrator of Heche’s estate as well as the legal guardian of his 13-year-old brother, Atlas Heche Tupper. In court documents, the brothers are listed as the only two heirs of their mother’s estate.
Her death was officially been ruled an accident. Heche died due to inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.
Her manner of death was listed as an accident and also noted that a “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma” was another “significant condition” from the awful car crash she was involved in on Aug. 5.
Unfortunately, tension is now building between her loved ones. Both her son and her ex-husband have recently filed documents requesting control of Heche’s estate.
