Further Tests Needed to Determine Rivers' Cause of Death: ME

Further tests are needed to pinpoint comedian Joan Rivers' cause of death, the New York City medical examiner said on Friday.

Rivers, 81, died Thursday surrounded by family and close friends at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, her daughter Melissa Rivers said. She had been hospitalized since Aug. 28 when she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy on East 93rd Street.

After a review, state heath officials opened an investigation into the clinic and her surgery.

Yorkville Endoscopy is accredited by the the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. The association said it was investigating the facility's accreditation. 

Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner, said Friday that Rivers' "cause and manner of death" will require further studies.

Rivers' funeral is set for Sunday at Temple Emanu-El. Services will be private.

Meanwhile, the E! network said no decisions have been made about the future of "Fashion Police" in the wake of the death of its star host.

Obit-Joan Rivers
AP
Flowers surround Joan Rivers' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014.

The network said in a statement that it is "mourning our beloved Joan, and will respond at a later date with further programming updates." Melissa Rivers is its executive producer.

E! previously said the long-running program, which normally airs new episodes on Fridays, will be on break for the next two weeks. In its place, the network plans to air two special programs focusing on New York Fashion Week.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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