Medical examiner: Rivers’ cause of death unknown

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Further tests are needed to pinpoint comedian Joan Rivers’ cause of death, the New York City medical examiner says.

Rivers, who was 81, died Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. She had been hospitalized since Aug. 28 when she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at a doctor’s office. The New York state health department is investigating the circumstances.

Spokeswoman Julie Bolcer said that the “cause and manner of death” will require further studies.

Rivers’ funeral is set for Sunday at Temple Emanu-El; services will be private and no other details were released.

As notables continued to post condolences and memories, fans created a makeshift memorial on the doorstep on Rivers’ Manhattan apartment building. Among those sharing their memories of Rivers: Prince Charles, whose 2005 wedding was attended by Rivers.

“Joan Rivers was an extraordinary woman with an original and indefatigable spirit, an unstoppable sense of humor and an enormous zest for life,” he wrote in a statement. “She will be hugely missed and utterly irreplaceable.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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