Breaking News: Joan Rivers Passes Away at 81

Legendary comedienne Joan Rivers died on Thursday —  exactly a week after she was rushed to a Manhattan hospital when she stopped breathing during a routine throat procedure, sources told The Post.

She was 81.

Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, had been keeping vigil by her mother’s bedside at Mount Sinai Hospital as her condition failed to improve since she went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 28 at Yorkville Endoscopy.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers,” Melissa said in a statement. “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.”

Link: http://www.mywesternwall.net/2014/09/04/breaking-news-joan-rivers-passes-away-at-81.html