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Natasha Richardson Autopsy Under Way
March 19, 2009Medical Examiner Will Release Results Thursday
The New York City Medical Examiner's Office is performing an autopsy on actress Natasha Richardson, who died two days after an accident on a ski slope.
Richardson fell during a private lesson Monday at a resort in Quebec.
The medical examiner's office said that results of the autopsy will be available later Thursday.
The 45-year-old actress was seemingly fine after she fell, but about an hour later, she complained that she didn't feel well.
She was hospitalized Tuesday in Montreal and later flown to a hospital in New York.
Stars Pay Tribute
Tributes are pouring in for Richardson following the Tony Award-winning actress' death.
The actress and wife of film star Liam Neeson starred in such films as "Patty Hearst," "Nell," "Maid in Manhattan" and "The Parent Trap" -- opposite a young Lindsay Lohan.
"She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own," Lohan said. "My heart goes out to her family. This is a tragic loss."
Richardson and Neeson were married in 1994. They had two sons, now ages 12 and 13.
Neeson's publicist, Alan Nierob, released a statement Wednesday night: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."
Richardson, who won a Tony Award on Broadway for "Cabaret," came from a show business dynasty, including her mother Vanessa Redgrave, sister Joely Richardson and late father, stage and film director Tony Richardson.
"It defies belief that this gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman is gone," said film and stage director Sam Mendes, who produced the "Cabaret" revival on Broadway.
Friends and family members remembered Richardson as an unusually poised child, perhaps forced to grow up early when her father left her mother in the late '60s for Jeanne Moreau. Tony Richardson died in 1991.
Jane Fonda wrote on her blog her recollection of her first meeting with Richardson in 1977, on the set of Redgrave's film "Julia."
"She was a little girl but already beautiful and graceful. It didn't surprise me that she became such a talented actor," Fonda wrote. "It is hard to even imagine what it must be like for her family. My heart is heavy."
First Responders Turned Away
An emergency services official said the first ambulance responding to a Canadian ski mishap involving Richardson was turned away.
She suffered a head injury while taking a beginners ski lesson in Quebec.
The official told The Globe and Mail newspaper ski patrollers requested an ambulance after Richardson fell. The paramedics who initially responded were told they were not needed.
The official said another ambulance was called later to the actress' luxury hotel and rushed her to a hospital.
A resort spokeswoman said Tuesday that Richardson initially said that she was fine.
The resort also issued a statement that said Richardson didn't appear hurt and was walking around. The statement said ski patrollers recommended she see a doctor.
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