It has been confirmed that Carrie Fisher’s cause of death was due to complications with sleep apnea, but she also had heroin and cocaine in her system at the time of her death, according to documents PEOPLE obtained from the L.A. County coroner’s office.
The official report stated, “The exposure to cocaine took place sometime approximately in the last 72 hours of the sample that was obtained.” Aside from these lethal drugs, there were also traces of ethanol, opiates, remote exposure to MDMA as well as traces of anti-depressants and antihistamines in her system.
Despite the confirmation of drug use, the report is still not a direct answer to Fisher’s cause of death. “Based on the available toxicological information, we cannot establish the significance of the multiple substances that were detected in Ms. Fisher’s blood and tissue, with regard to the cause of death,” stated the report.
The family had objected to an autopsy, but an external examination was conducted. It was revealed sleep apnea also played a role in her death. Fisher’s personal assistant declared in the report that Fisher had “multiple apneic episodes” during the flight in which she passed on, which eventually led to a heart attack. The report concluded, “The manner of death has been ruled undetermined.”
Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, addressed the report in a statement to PEOPLE. “My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it,” she explained. ” I know my Mom, she’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles. Seek help, fight for government funding for mental health programs. Shame and those social stigmas are the enemies of progress to solutions and ultimately a cure. Love you Momby.”
Olivia Di Pede
Olivia loves all things fashion, beauty, and entertainment. In her free time, she can be found taking yoga classes, reading thriller novels, and styling outfits on Instagram.
