Natasha Richardson Brain Dead, Family Gathered (UPDATE: SHE HAS DIED)

UPDATED 8 PM WEDNESDAY: Natasha Richardson has died, according to a statement from her family.

Click here for more on her tragic passing.

UPDATE 2 PM & 5:15 PM:
As family gathered, Liz Smith reported at 2 PM that Natasha was been taken off life support at Lenox Hill Hospital. The NY Post reported her off life support at 4:44 pm

Lauren Bacall was also photographed visiting the hospital on Wednesday, as were her mother and sister. From the AP:

Vanessa Redgrave, Richardson's mother, arrived in a car with darkened windows and was taken through a garage when she arrived at the Lenox Hill Hospital on Manhattan's Upper East Side at around 5 p.m. Wednesday. An hour earlier, Richardson's sister, Joely, arrived alone and was swarmed by the media as she entered through the back of the hospital.

UPDATED 10 AM:
The only outlet to previously say Richardson's injuries were less severe, TMZ, has backtracked on that claim and now reports she is:

TMZ has obtained information about Natasha Richardson's ambulance ride in New York to Lenox Hill Hospital -- she was "unconscious," her pupils "non-reactive," her skin was "pale" and she was suffering from "major head trauma."

We're told her husband Liam Neeson held her hand the entire time and caressed her face as he sat in silence.

UPDATED 8:00 AM
In addition to Richardson's mother, her two sons, sister Joely and her niece have been photographed leaving New York's Lenox Hill hospital as the AP also reports family has gathered.

Wednesday morning People reported:

"There is no chance," a family friend told PEOPLE on Tuesday night. "It is a fact that her heart is beating but she is brain dead."

Story continues below

advertisement

Her dire condition - doctors described it to those close to Richards as "leakage of blood between the brain and skull," the friend says - has the actress's family coming to grips with potentially having to make an unthinkably difficult decision. "It's not official yet," says the friend, "but they basically will detach her."

UPDATED 7:45 PM
People reports there was going to be a vigil for Natasha Richarson hours after she was flown via private jet to New York from Canada:

According to sources, friends and family members gathered for a vigil in New York to be with Richardson. It was not immediately known whether she was being taken to a hospital or to her home.

Her mother Vanessa Redgrave was spotted late Tuesday walking into New York's Lenox Hill Hospital.

UPDATED 5 PM:
Hours after reports that Natasha Richardson suffered a serious brain injury while skiing, Time Out New York, the NY Daily New, Fox News and the NY Post claim that she is brain dead, which TMZ refutes.

Richardson flew to New York from Canada via private jet, her second hospital transfer in 24 hours. The flight has been confirmed by the AP and a hospital spokesman.

Fox claims she is coming home to then be taken off life support and allowed to die:

Sources close to Tony-award winning actress Natasha Richardson tell FOXNews.com that the 45-year-old actress is brain dead, and being transported back to New York City before she is to be taken off life support.

The NYDN reported:

The actress has "been on life support since this morning," a source close to the family said. "She is brain dead."

They had no official confirmation, but at 12:39 TONY first reported that she is brain dead, although alive:

Although public reports have not yet confirmed it, sources close to Richardson's family and friends say they have already been told the awful news: She will not survive the accident, and is currently brain dead.

The NY Post reports:

Actress Natasha Richardson is brain dead, after falling in a ski accident in Canada, friends told The Post today.

The TONY updated their story at 1:58 with a clarification about their initial RIP headline, seen below:

TONY's sources have clarified the situation: Richardson is brain dead but has not passed away. Sources close to the family indicate that they are treating it as a death. We will update you on this sad story as circumstances warrant. We apologize to the family and to our readers.

TMZ, however, hears differently:

The hospital tells TMZ Richardson is sedated and suffering from brain swelling -- but is not brain dead.

Check back for more and read updated reports about the accident here.

THE INITIAL, RETRACTED T.O.N.Y., INCLUSION OF AN RIP HEADLINE:

Comments

[carolyn19]

Medical Question:
Reports say she likely had fracture of her temporal bone, thinnest part of skull. Appears Natasha received Botox treatments and had them in area of temporal lobe. Would there be any medical effect of Botox to a) cause increase risk of bleeding, or b) decreased sensation so she would not have known how badly her bump was b/c she could not feel it?

[BunnyMama]

This is very sad.

[BunnyMama]

Has anyone seen Lynn Redgrave?

[stingerthesurf]

I feel absolutely for Liam and his family during this horrific time in their families lives. She was a beautiful woman who was obviously loved by family,friends and fans.
I think that the reporting on her could have been done with a lot more class and respect. The AP that first broke the story said she was the English actress or British actress. How about let people know she is the wife of Liam Neeson, actress Natasha Richardson. Then say her movies and broadway then mention she's the daughter of Redgrave.

[NTBoss]

I can only think of a quote that I've read...

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. "

A mother singing you a lullaby, children who silently accepted, a husband holding you hand 'till the end and people who have been touched by you...This is every indication that Ms. Natasha has lived a life leaving little imprints of loving memories to those who matter in her life.
my heart bursts right now...

[SonyaInTx]

What a wonderful quote. And it is true. When your loved ones care for you like that, you know Natasha was a quality person on camera and off. May she rest in peace.

[frant52]

How sad for her family.
If you've not seen the movie 'Evening', rent a copy; she and her mother are both in it. An experience Ms. Redgrave will, I'm sure, treasure.

[marcain]

When you think about how most of us as kids never wore helmets while skiing, sledding, bike riding etc... and always felt invincible. I was a dardevil kid and had many mishaps but remained resilient and unscathed. This is stunning to me that one can bump the head and hours later be dead. Some people must be more fragile than others.

Natasha was a charming woman. She carried herself with grace and dignity and didn't come across supercilious like one may be from her kind of lineage. There's so many undeserved, unfair events that happen to people. This is yet another one.

[inwonderland]

In addition to learning from how Natasha Richardson died...be mindful of how she lived. And boy, how she did live.

[Clayton139]

I am very sadden by this for Liam Neeson and family !
Also for Vanessa Redgrave it must be hard for her !
I know life can be so fragile and sometimes we forget till the tragedy hits us.
I am so sorry for your loss !

I have watch Liam Neeson in about everything he has done.
He seems so authentic of a man.

[JeanV]

This is sad, however, why would a ski instructor giving a lesson on a bunny slope not insist the student wear a helmet? New skiers are the most likely to fall.

[Leon72]

I've waited on Mr. Neeson at his favorite restaurant on the UWS, in New York. He is a very good and down to earth guy. That is what makes this story of his very beautiful wife dying so gut-wenching. My condolescences to you sir and your children.

[helpusa]

Shocking and painful. Enjoy your loved ones every minute. Condolences to the family.

[ztck5356]

I've never seen two people so in love by these photographs. It's all over their faces. So sad!

[CRhae]

My heart aches for her family. God bless her soul.

[Dave27]

This was a shame. My heart goes out to her family.