Anne Heche Estate sued for ‘negligence’ in car crash for $2 million

The woman at the home where Anne Heche fatally drove her car is suing the late actress’ estate for $2 million.

Heche drove her car into a Mar Vista home in Los Angeles on August 5. The car caught fire and “severely damaged” the home, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Representative Brian Humphrey. Heche later died on August 12 after being taken off life support in a coma.

Now Lynne Mishele is suing the Heche estate. Michele, who was renting the Mar Vista home at the time of the crash, is seeking “at least $2 million” in damages for negligence, infliction of emotional distress and trespassing. Mishele rented the house from owners John and Jennifer Durand. The lawsuit was filed Nov. 9 in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County, People Magazine reported.

Mishele’s attorneys stated that she was “working from home when she was struck by the dramatic force of Heche’s vehicle, which slammed through the front wall and drove through the living room, kitchen, study and main room closet before moving into the laundry room/storage room settled down, stunned was her house. Incredibly, the front end of the car came to a stop just a few feet from the plaintiff and her pets: two dogs named Bree and Rueben and a turtle named Marley.”

The lawsuit continues, “By the grace of God, the plaintiff and her three pets narrowly escaped the physical impact of the car accident.” Mishele claims she was “terrified, severely traumatized and homeless” after the crash.

“As a result of the fatal incident caused by Heche, the plaintiff’s home and all personal belongings were completely burned down and destroyed, including her entire life’s possessions, pictures and memorabilia, all her business papers and equipment, her laptop and iPad, everything their clothing, basic needs and household items,” the suit reads. “In addition to the loss of all her belongings and physical uprooting, the plaintiff has suffered, and continues to suffer, from severe emotional distress and professional difficulties.”

Mishele is currently suffering from insomnia, anxiety and depression, according to the list. “She was also unable to conduct her business from home due to her physical displacement and fragile mental health caused by the defendants’ irresponsible conduct,” the lawsuit adds. “She has received counseling but remains traumatized by the actions of the defendants.”

Homeowners, the Durand family, started a GoFundMe page for Mishele following the Heche crash. The account raised $183,500. Mishele also shared an Instagram video calling Heche’s crash “tragic”.

The late Emmy-winner Heche will make her final screen appearance in the Lifetime film Girl in Room 13. A posthumous memoir, Call Me Anne, is scheduled for publication in January 2023. Heche is survived by her 13-year-old son Atlas with former partner James Tupper, and 20-year-old son Homer from her marriage to Coley Laffoon.

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