US actress Debbie Reynolds died just a day after her Star Wars star daughter Carrie Fisher, on December 28, 2016.
The Singin’ in the Rain star was rushed to hospital via ambulance and pronounced dead just hours later, aged 84.
Heartbroken by her daughter’s death on a transatlantic flight the day before, numerous reports claimed Debbie died of a ‘broken heart’ – but that was not the case, her death certificate later revealed.
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The mother and daughter eventually had some of their ashes buried together at a Hollywood Hills memorial park, poignantly reunited in death.
To mark what would have been Debbie’s 91st birthday, Daily Star is delving into the details of her death.
Daughter’s tragic death
(Image: Getty Images)
Princess Leia star Carrie Fisher was just 60 years old when she tragically died after a flight from London to Los Angeles.
The star stopped breathing on the commercial aircraft, with a nearby passenger performing CPR on the actress until paramedics arrived at the scene.
Carrie was unresponsive and placed on a ventilator when she arrived at hospital via ambulance, and was left in intensive care for several days before her death on December 27, 2016.
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
Carrie died of a cardiac arrest, with her autopsy revealing that the star had cocaine, traces of heroin, opiates and MDMA in her system.
The report was unable to define if the drugs actually contributed to the Star Wars actress’ death.
Her mother Debbie was left heartbroken, forced to deal with burial arrangements for her daughter at her son Todd’s home, when she suffered a medical emergency of her own.
‘Broken heart’ claims
(Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Todd Fisher, Debbie’s son, confirmed she “didn’t die of a broken heart” despite her devastation over her daughter’s death.
He told ABC News that Debbie “didn’t want to leave Carrie and did not want her to be alone”.
Todd confirmed at the time that mother and daughter would be buried together.
Eventually, Debbie’s body was entombed in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, with a portion of her daughter’s ashes laid to rest beside her.
The remainder of Carrie’s ashes were held in a giant novelty Prozac pill – just as the quirky star would have wanted.
‘Severe stroke’
(Image: Getty Images)
Debbie Reynolds’ death certificate confirmed that the star died from a blood vessel that ruptured, causing bleeding in her brain.
TMZ obtained the official document, which listed her cause of death as an intracerebral haemorrhage, listing hypertension as the underlying cause of her stroke.
No official autopsy was performed, and her death was not reported to the coroner.
Later, the tragic 911 calls to emergency services became public, obtained by TMZ.
A man told the 911 operator that Debbie’s son was by her side, with a nurse later appearing on the call to talk through Debbie’s vital signs before the call cut off when a doctor arrived on the scene.
Haunting last words
(Image: Getty Images)
Debbie’s son Todd revealed the star’s poignant last words in his interview with ABC News.
Before suffering a stroke, Debbie was heard saying: “I miss her so much. I want to be with Carrie.”
He explained: “The last thing she said this morning was that she was very, very sad about losing Carrie and that she would like to be with her again.
“Fifteen minutes later she suffered a severe stroke.”
Paying tribute to her daughter in a Facebook post the week of their deaths, Debbie had written: “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carrie’s Mother.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
