Update: Natasha Richardson Near Death

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 Mar 2009 07:03 AM

The news on Natasha Richardson's health condition has gone from bad to worse. According to new reports, the Tony Award-winning actress is brain dead and it's just a matter of time before her family pulls her off life support.

The new information comes less than 12 hours after Richardson was transported from a Canadian hospital to a medical facility in New York. Reports say the movie and stage star's famous husband Liam Neeson accompanied her on a private jet from Montreal to New York where family and friends had gathered for a nighttime vigil.

Reps for the family have declined to comment on Richardson's medical condition, however, friends of the actress have been leaking some information to members of the media. One pal told reporters, "There's no hope left for Natasha."

Richardson, the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, reportedly suffered a serious head injury Monday while skiing on a beginner's slope at an upscale Montreal resort. According to reports, Richardson did not show any visible signs of injury, but the ski patrol still insisted she see a doctor. A statement from resort officials said Richardson seemed fine at first, but an hour later she complained of a headache and was sent to the hospital. Less than 24 hours later she was being flown to New York in dire condition.

Last night a family friend told PEOPLE Magazine: "It is a fact that her heart is beating but she is brain dead." The source went on to tell the magazine that Richardson has a "leakage of blood between the brain and skull" and is near death.

Since her arrival in New York, the 45-year-old actress has been visited by a slew of family members, including her mother, her sons, 13-year-old Michael Richard Antonio Neeson and 12-year-old Daniel Jack Neeson, her niece, Daisy Bevan, her famous aunt Lynn Redgrave and her actress sister Joely Richardson.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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drdad (503) 18 Mar 2009 07:21 AM

Her performance in the Handmaid's Tale is one of my favorites.

Libby Pelham (12876) 18 Mar 2009 06:57 PM

This is so sad and I hate to say it, but I wasn't really a fan. Just the fact that she was on a beginner slope (at least that is what I understand), fell, then seemed okay, but was ill a hour later - that is just crazy. And I feel so bad for her teenage boys - so sad to lose their mom at that age.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 19 Mar 2009 03:47 AM

Sadly, Natasha Richardson died last night. A rep for her family says that she was taken off of life support at 1:30 EST Wednesday and passed away a few hours later. I with you Libby. My heart goes out to her sons... and her entire family.

Libby Pelham (12876) 19 Mar 2009 06:00 AM

I understand the whole medical part of what happened, but this it is just still crazy!