An autopsy report released today reveals that Natasha Richardson died of a head injury after her fall on March 16 at a ski resort in Canada, the AP reports. The incident was ruled an accident. The 45-year-old film and stage star reportedly complained of a headache shortly after she left a ski lesson at the Mont Tremblant resort, where officials said this week that she "did not show any visible signs of injury."
A publicist for Richardson’s husband, Liam Neeson, confirmed her death Wednesday.
UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting that Natasha Richardson wasn’t taken to the hospital until nearly four hours after her skiing accident. That makes for a major discrepancy with the resort’s claims that only an hour passed before the actress was hospitalized. The Times bases this new time frame on records obtained from the ambulance dispatcher. According to a series of medical experts interviewed for the story, had Richardson gotten immediate medical care for this type of brain hematoma, her chances for survival would have been greatly improved.
More on Natasha Richardson:
Natasha Richardson dies at age 45
Natasha Richardson: Career retrospective (photo gallery)
Natasha Richardson: A critical appreciation by Lisa Schwarzbaum
It did not say a ski accident was the cause of death, do not paraphrase, it said epidural hematoma was the cause of death
Very sad. RIP Natasha. Liam stay strong.
my deepest sorrow. my heart felt feelings go out to her family. she is a beautiful women and person.
R.I.P. Natasha. She and Liam always looked so right together. She really was a talented actress. I am glad people are showing her so much respect. She deserved it.
besmart…follow your own advice. someone can have epidural hematoma and not die for a while- but this death was triggered by the ski accident. you know what they meant. It’s a result from “blunt impact to the head” (ABC News).
& I doubt there are a multitude of people on infotainment sites aware of the definition of epidural hematoma.
Why was Richardson transferred from 1st centre hospitalier to sacre-couer hospital in Montreal. Was the 1st hospital not equipped to handle her case?
Hey Chelsea & Besmart – I hate to burst your bubble – but there are alot of intelligent people who read “Infotainment” sites that know exactly what a epidural hematoma is.
My sympathies go out to Natasha’s husband and boys. What a terrible loss, she was a beautiful actress and person.
“Ski accident” is not an appropriate medical term for autopsy paperwork, but it’s perfectly fine for a cause/effect headline. Like Chelsea said, you know exactly what they were talking about. Did it ever occur to you that when something tragic like this happens, nitpicky weirdos like you two just make it worse for the people who actually care that another human being has died?
Seriously it’s called a SUBDURAL HEMATOMA, and epidural is the pain management injection/IV drip that goes in your low back. Anyway, this kind of tragedy shows that our time is so precious and short in this world.
Kell, the dura is a tough tissue that protects the brain and spinal column. Bleeding in the brain below this layer ( usually venous) is a subdural hematome. These are slow growing bleeds. On the other hand, bleeding above the dura(an arterial bleed) is quite properly called an epidural hematome. Because it is arterial it is a rapidly growing life-threatening situation. Please don’t ignore headache after a head injury and please wear helmits while skiing, on bikes and motorcycles and skateboards.
please give natasha the respect she and her family deserves, by keeping the recipes and diets away from the condolences sent
Hmm I just love people and I do mean that sarcastically, what makes people do what they do or think how they think.. someone died and it should be private amongst family and close friends a celebrity deserves the same respect dont you think
God bless them- Live your life to the fullest.
Thank you Steve and Wanda for trying to get people to understand that there is a family that is hurting due to Natasha’a death.
What a terrible tragedy for the Richardson/Redgrave family as well for Liam and their 2 boys. It just goes to show how fragile we are as human beings and how we must take every day as a gift. I really hope that God or whatever higher power out there is with Natasha’s loved ones at this time of grieving.