Joan Rivers's Cause of Death
Oct. 17, 2014 -- Joan Rivers died of complications while having medical procedures to check her voice box and vocal cords and to determine whether she had acid reflux, according to a New York City medical examiner's report released Thursday.
It said the 81-year-old comedian's death on Sept. 4 was due to brain damage caused by low blood oxygen, The New York Times reported.
Rivers stopped breathing Aug. 28 during a laryngoscopy to examine her voice box and vocal cords, and an endoscopy to examine her upper digestive system that was performed under anesthesia, the medical examiner report said.
An investigation found that Rivers' breathing disruption was "a predictable complication of medical therapy," and medical error was not cited as a cause of death, The Times reported.
The issue of whether medical personnel at Yorkville Endoscopy in New York City took sufficient actions after Rivers stopped breathing was not addressed in the medical examiner's report.
"We continue to be saddened by our tragic loss and grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support from around the world. We have no further comment at this time," Rivers' daughter, Melissa, said in a statement released Thursday, The Times reported.