Beloved actress Natasha Richardson was officially pronounced dead Wednesday following a bizarre skiing accident at a Montreal resort and the New York City medical examiner's office has ruled her death as a result of blunt impact to the head.
The New York City m.e.'s office ruled her death an accident, according to Perez Hilton.
The wife of actor Liam Neeson and mother to two adolescent sons, was taking a beginner's lesson at Mont Tremblant resort when she fell. She walked away from the fall but was later rushed to the hospital complaining of pain in her head. It was later she revealed that she had bleeding between her head and skull.
"Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha,” said a statement from the family released on Wednesday. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."
Ms. Richardson is survived by her husband and their two sons, Micheal Richard Antonio, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12, her mother, sister and a half-sister, Katherine Grimond.
Natasha Richardson was not wearing a helmet when she fell during her beginner’s ski lesson on Monday. “It was a normal fall; she didn’t hit anyone or anything,” Ms. Lortie, a resort spokesperson said. “She didn’t show any signs of injury. She was talking and she seemed all right.”
The actress was part of the acting dynasty that includes her mother Vanessa Redgrave, her aunt Lynn Redgrave and her sister, Nip / Tuck star Joely Richardson. Her father was director Tony Richardson and she is the granddaughter of Michael Redgrave.
Richardson starred in Nell with Neeson and Jodie Foster, The Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's classic feminist novel, The Comfort of Strangers with Rupert Everett and Fat Man Little Boy with Paul Newman, to name a few.
In 1998 Richardson won the Tony Award for playing Sally Bowles in the smash Broadway Revival of Cabaret, which also starred Alan Cumming.
She was slated to star in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music with her mother.
Richardson was an ardent AIDS and gay rights advocate.
