Death investigation ... shocking claims have emerged about an alleged unauthorised procedure that police reportedly believe took Joan Rivers life. Picture: AP Source: AP
POLICE are investigating claims a doctor took a selfie with Joan Rivers while she was unconscious on the operating table, before performing a biopsy she hadn’t consented to.
The shocking claim was made by a staff member at the Yorkville Endoscopy clinic, where Rivers underwent a routine throat procedure on August 28.
Clinic in question ... Joan Rivers underwent a routine procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy in New York, when she was rushed to hospital after complications. Picture: AP Source: AP
After complications, the 81-year-old comedian was rushed to hospital where she died a week later.
SHOCK LOSS: Joan Rivers dead at 81
Investigators are looking in to claims that a second unnamed doctor entered the operating room after that initial procedure to conduct a biopsy on her vocal chords.
They are also probing claims by the staff member that the clinician who performed the biopsy first snapped a photo of himself with the sedated star.
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CNN cited a source close to the investigation as saying that the vocal chord biopsy was not something Rivers had consented to.
Selfie claim ... a staff member says a doctor took a selfie with a sedated Joan Rivers before performing an authorised biopsy on her vocal chords. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied
Huge loss ... Joan Rivers died after being taken off life support following complications during surgery. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
That same source also said investigators believe Rivers could have suffered a heart attack after her throat began to swell during the biopsy, depriving her of oxygen.
Yorkville Endoscopy issued a statement denying the biopsy had taken place, but declined to comment on the selfie accusation.