The tributes are continuing to pour in afterAnne Heche’s untimely death.
Director Nathan Scoggins — who directed Heche inWhat Remains, one of her last completed films — penned an emotional tribute forVarietyabout his positive experience working with the late actress.
“Anne Heche gave me her very best, and I’m forever grateful,” he wrote on Friday.
Wrote Scoggins, “Anne held nothing back — in life or in performance. She was fearless, going too far in some takes just to make sure she went far enough.”
In working closely with Heche, Scoggins once “got a glimpse into the pain of a life spent with newspapers and tabloids chasing every troubled moment” upon telling her she does her “most interesting work” when she does “nothing at all.” To that, he recalled her saying, “Thanks. Can you tell that toTheNew York Times?”
“Anne was trusting, to a fault. I got the feeling that in her life there had been people she had trusted too much — people who had hurt or betrayed her. She was innocent, a pure soul, who let people in and sometimes suffered for it. But you can’t love without trust, and she loved with her whole heart,” he explained.
Nathan Scoggins/Instagram
“I wish I’d been able to protect her more,” he added.
As he concluded, Scoggins reflected on how Heche moved through life. He also expressed hope that she was able to she find “peace.”
“Anne lived her life on the move, on the run — tragically in many ways. She had demons and struggles that I only learned a little about in our times together,” he concluded. “I hope she found some grace and peace along the way.”
On Aug. 12, a rep for Heche confirmed to PEOPLE thatshe died at age 53. She was involved in a fiery crash that left her with severe injuries, leading to her being intubated at a hospital.
The Emmy winner — who crashed her vehicle into a Mar Vista, California, home that became uninhabitable, thereafter — never regained consciousness. After her death, a rep for Heche told PEOPLE thatshe was “peacefully taken off life support"after an organ recipient match was made.
“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” her rep said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”
Anne Heche.Michael Bezjian/Getty for Mammoth Media Institute
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Heche’s death has beenruled an accident. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, there were also indications that a “sternal fracture due to blunt trauma” was another “significant condition” from the crash.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department said “there will beno further investigative effortsmade in this case” after initially conducting a DUI investigation.
Heche had completed several projects just before her death. In addition to her role inWhat RemainsoppositeKellan Lutzand Cress Williams, she filmedThe IdolalongsideThe WeekndandLily-Rose Depp. She is also set to appear inSupercell,Girl in Room 13,Full Ride,Frankie Meets Jack,Chasing NightmaresandWildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse.
Heche had also been co-hosting theBetter Togetherpodcast with Heather Duffy since late 2020.
source: people.com
