Anne Heche's fatal car accident no longer under investigation

The police has said there will be 'no further investigative efforts in this case'

Anne Heche at the 74th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Beverly Hills on March 12, 2022. The Hollywood actress was in a fiery car crash in Los Angeles in August. Reuters

Anne Heche at the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Reception at the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival in 2018. Getty Images

The actress at the premiere of the HBO television series 'Big Little Lies' in Los Angeles in 2017. Reuters

Canadian actor James Tupper, left, Anne Heche, right, and son Atlas Heche Tupper at the premiere of 'Mr Popper's Penguins' in 2011. EPA

A pregnant Heche at the premiere of the movie 'Spread' in 2009. EPA

From left, Anne Heche, Hugh Jackman and Donna Murphy pose for photographers during the the Tony Award Nominee class picture at the Minskoff Theatre in New York in 2004. EPA

Alec Baldwin and Heche at the American Theatre Wing Gala annual Luncheon in 2004. Reuters

The cast of the new film 'John Q', from left, Anne Heche, Kimberly Elise, Denzel Washington, young Daniel Smith and James Woods, at the film's premiere in 2002 in Los Angeles. Reuters

Hugh Grant and Anne Heche attend the Warner Brothers/ 'InStyle' party after the 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2001. Reuters

Anne Heche and Robert Downey Jr at the premiere of 'Snatch' at the Directors Guild, Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

Anne Heche, right, directing Sharon Stone, left, and Ellen Degeneres on the set of 'If These Walls Could Talk'. Getty Images

Ed Harris as Father Frank Shore and Anne Heche as Roxanna in the 2000 film 'The Third Miracle'. Getty Images

Anne Heche in the 1998 remake of 'Pyscho'. Getty Images

Director Gus Van Sant, left, Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn at the premiere of 'Return To Paradise' in October 1998. Getty Images

Harrison Ford, left, and Anne Heche in the 1998 film '6 Days,7 Nights'. Getty Images

From left, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Heche and Robert De Niro on the set of 'Wag The Dog' in 1998. Getty Images

Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche in 1997 film 'Volcano'. Getty Images

The Los Angeles Police Department has ended its investigation into Anne Heche’s fatal car accident.

“As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case," the department announced. "Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”

The actress, 53, was declared brain dead on Friday, which is the definition of death according to California law, after falling into a coma as a result of the crash. On August 5, Heche drove her blue Mini Cooper off the road and struck a two-storey home; the vehicle was soon engulfed in flames.

"Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” Heche's family said.

“Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."

Heche’s son, Homer Laffoon, also released a statement of his own, saying: “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.”

Since news of Heche’s death, a number of fellow Hollywood celebrities have taken to social media to pay tribute.

Priyanka Chopra, who worked with Heche on the television series Quantico, called her “a lovely person and an incredible actress”.

“My heart goes out to Anne Heche’s children, family, friends, and everyone who grieves,” Chopra posted on Instagram. “It was an honour to have known you and worked by your side. You will always have a special place in my heart.”

Priyanka Chopra wrote a tribute on Instagram to American actress Anne Heche, who died following a car accident. Photo: Instagram / priyankachopra

Ellen DeGeneres tweeted her condolences, sending her love to Heche’s children, family and friends. “This is a sad day,” she wrote.

Heche rose to fame after starring in the soap opera Another World, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991. She is also known for her performance in Donnie Brasco, starring Johnny Depp, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Six Days, Seven Nights and Return to Paradise.