Carrie Fisher Real Cause Of Death Revealed; Daughter Billie Lourd Responds To Drug Use Report

Carrie Fisher’s real cause of death has finally been revealed.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Star Wars” actress’ death was caused by sleep apnea and other undetermined factors. On Friday, the coroner from the Los Angeles County’s Office said that Fisher also suffered from atherosclerotic disease and drug use. The report stated that the actress had taken different types of drugs before her passing, but no other specifics were given.

Read: Carrie Fisher’s half-sister Joely Fisher shares details from the last time they saw each other

Fisher’s only daughter, Billie Lourd, released a statement to People acknowledging the fact that her mom struggled with her drug addiction for several years. “My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it. She was purposely open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases. She talked about the shame that torments people and their families confronted by these diseases. I know my mom, she’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles,” she said.

Lourd concluded her statement by expressing her love for her late mother. She also encouraged everyone struggling with drug addiction and any form of mental illness to immediately 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,” she added.

On Dec. 23, 2016, Fisher was flying from London to Los Angeles when she suffered from a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. The actress, best known for her role as Princess Leia Organa in “Star Wars,” was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she received treatment. She later died at the UCLA Medical Center on Dec. 27, just a day before her mom, Debbie Reynolds, passed away.

Following their deaths, Lourd paid tribute to her mom and grandmother via her Instagram account. The “Scream Queens” actress posted a photo of herself with the two most important women in her life. Lourd also thanked everyone for their prayers and support during that very difficult time in her life. Fisher and Reynolds were buried on Jan. 6 at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.