Joan Rivers Autopsy Leaves Cause of Death Unclear

1 minute read

Comedian Joan Rivers’ autopsy has been completed but the cause of her death remains unclear, the New York City chief medical examiner’s office said Friday.

“Following an examination, the cause and manner of death are pending further studies,” spokesperson Julie Bolcer said.

Rivers, who was 81, was hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan last week after she stopped breathing during a procedure on her vocal chords. She died in New York City on Thursday. The clinic that had originally been treating Rivers, Yorkville Endoscopy clinic, is now under investigation by New York State Department of Health.

The comedy icon was mourned by her fellow comedians for her humor as well as her role as a trailblazer.

Joan Rivers: A Life of Laughter in Pictures

Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Joan Rivers, pictured here in 1965, was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn N.Y. on June 8, 1933.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers got her big break on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in 1965.Dan Grossi—AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Comedienne Joan Rivers making faces in a mirror on the street in New York City on March 1, 1966.Truman Moore—The TIME & LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Comedienne Joan Rivers wearing black mesh dress and heels, while talking on the phone in a bathtub in New York City on March 1, 1966. Truman Moore—The TIME & LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Joan Rivers lights a cigar for her husband Edgar Rosenberg after giving birth to baby Melissa Frida, 6lb 13.5 oz, in New York City on Jan. 20, 1968. New York Daily News/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Joan Rivers, Dick Cavett, and Liza Minnelli on This Morning, Feb. 12, 1968. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Ed McMahon and host Joan Rivers on Kraft Music Hall on Aug. 21, 1968.NBC/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Gallery
Comedian Rodney Dangerfield (L) and actress Joan Rivers wrapping up Dick Cavett (C) in a scene from the Portnoy's Complaint, Jan. 1, 1969. Arthur Schatz—The TIME & LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Joan Rivers with daughter Melissa at home in New York City in Nov., 1970.I C Rapoport/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Producer Edgar Rosenberg and wife comedian Joan Rivers during the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 10th Anniversary party on September 30, 1972 in New York City. NBC/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Actress Joan Rivers guest stars on "The Carol Bunett Show" on Dec. 13, 1975 in Los Angeles.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
One of the many accolades that Rivers received during her life was being named "Woman of the Year" by Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Harvard University drama group in 1984. She celebrated by riding a parade float through Harvard Square.Ted Gartland—AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers' celebrity gave her the opportunity to meet prominent figures in show business and politics, including Nancy Reagan in 1984.Bettmann/Corbis
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers, pictured in 1985 with star wrestler Hulk Hogan, became a regular guest host of the Tonight Show in the early 1980s and published "The Life and Hard Times of Heidi Abramowitz," a best-seller, in 1984.AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Oprah Winfrey was one of the many that Rivers interviewed during her guest-hosting stints on "The Tonight Show" in 1986.NBC/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
By 1986, Rivers had been cut out of Carson's circle, having signed on to host "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers" on Fox. Elton John, Cher and Pee Wee Herman joined Rivers for her first episode.Bob Galbraith—AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers remained on "The Late Show " for less than a year before leaving Fox in 1987 and starting her work on "The Joan Rivers Talk Show" in 1989.Nick Ut—AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Joan Rivers is honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 26, 1989, at Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood Ron Galella—WireImage/Getty Images
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers, pictured with RuPaul in 1993, won a Daytime Emmy Award for hosting the eponymous "Joan Rivers Show" in 1990.Jim Cooper—AP
Joan Rivers Dead Obit
Rivers, pictured with Kelly Osbourne and daughter Melissa in 2012, became best-known to younger generations for hosting E!'s red carpet pre-awards show for the Oscars.A. Ariani—Splash News/Corbis
2010 Sundance Film Festival - "Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work" Portraits
Pictured here at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, Rivers remained active up to her death, hosting internet talk show with her daughter Melissa, "In Bed with Joan."Andrea Collins—WireImage/Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com