Though conflicting reports about Natasha Richardson's condition have been swirling since an earlier ski accident in Quebec, her family has released a statement this evening confirming her death.
"Liam Neeson, his sons and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," spokesman Alan Nierob said in a statement.
"They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."
The cause of death wasn't noted, but many news outlets have reported that the freak accident left the highly lauded British actress brain dead.
It happened Monday, on a slope at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Montreal. During a beginner lesson, Natasha took a fall that, by all accounts, seemed fairly 'routine'.
"She showed no injuries," said Mont Tremblant spokeswoman Lyne Lortie. "She was talking. She seemed all right. But [the ski patrol] have to follow strict procedures, so they brought her back to the bottom of the slope."
Natasha fell "right in the middle of the trail," Lyne said. "She didn't hit anyone or anything. It was a normal fall that you would expect from a ski lesson.
She returned to her hotel room with both her instructor and the ski patrol and seemed fine at first, but within an hour she was complaining of head pain. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, while Liam, her husband of fifteen years, rushed from a Toronto movie set to be by her side.
She was flown to a New York City hospital on Tuesday, where her family - Liam and their two sons, Micheal and Daniel, her mother Vanessa Redgrave and her sister, Joely Richardson, among others - gathered at her bedside.
This is an incredibly sad story. My heart goes out to Natasha's family, especially her two young boys.
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