Melissa's Statement
It is with great sadness that I annoucne the death of my mother, Joan Rivers.
She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.
Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated.
My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.
9/4 Update: AP: BREAKING: Comedian Joan Rivers has died, says her daughter Melissa Rivers.
@Mashable #Breaking: Comedian Joan Rivers, 81, is dead, her daughter says in a statement. More to come.
9/1 Update: "It's a slow process, but she's on the road to recovery," a source close to the situation tells E! News exclusively. "She's getting better. Don't believe all this ridiculous speculation."
"She is a rock. She is calmer than I've ever seen her," the source told E! News in regards to Melissa. "
All these reports about doomsday are not true. She is her mother's daughter and she's tough as nails. She's the person keeping everyone together."
The insider added, "She's focused on one thing: Her mother's health."
8/30 Update: Joan Rivers is on life support ... and sources close to the legendary comedian tell TMZ she is completely reliant on machines to stay alive.
According to our sources, the family will have to decide in the next couple of days whether to keep the 81-year-old on life support.
8/28: 8:49 AM PT -- The NYPD tells us ... Joan is currently in critical condition.
We're told ... at one point, Joan's heart stopped beating.
8:15 AM PT -- We're told an emergency call was placed to 911 at 9:39 AM ET and the caller said, "We have somebody in either cardiac or respiratory arrest."
Joan Rivers was rushed to a hospital in New York City moments ago ... after she stopped breathing during a surgery on her throat ... TMZ has learned.
We're told her daughter Melissa's on her way to New York.
Hope shes alright!
