Joan Rivers died of ‘therapeutic complication’

LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS Comedian Joan Rivers was undergoing an endoscopy at an High East Side clinic when she died. Anthony DelMundo/New York Day after day News NYPD police officers enter the Yorkville Endoscopy, the 93rd St. clinic where comedian died on Sept. 4.

Previous Next

• 
• 

Enlarge

Comedian Joan Rivers died after her oxygen supply was cut off while she was undergoing a procedure at a private High East Side clinic, the Medical Examiner reported Thursday.

Rivers’s death was classified by the M.E. as a “therapeutic complication.”

“That means the death resulted from a predictable complication of medical therapy,” spokesman Julie Bolcer said in a statement.

Rivers underwent an endoscopy and was having her throat looked at “for evaluation of voice changes and gastroesophageal reflux disease,” the M.E. reported.

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Melissa Rivers is moving forward with a lawsuit after the death of her mother, comedian Joan Rivers.

Enlarge Barry Williams/for New York Day after day News Enlarge

Melissa Rivers (L) is moving forward with a lawsuit against Dr. Gwen Korovin (R).

The M.E.’s finding comes a month after The Day after day News reported that the 81-year-ancient comic’s demise was triggered by a private doctor who performed an unplanned biopsy on her vocal cords.

Rivers died on Sept. 4.

The doctor, Gwen Korovin, was not a staffer at the Yorkville Endoscopy clinic. Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, has said she plans to sue her.

ttracy@nydailynews.com