How Melissa Rivers Found Out Her Mother's Last Words

Joan Rivers has been one of the most tenacious names in comedy since her big break on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in 1965. The brash, no-nonsense jokester entertained audiences for decades until her untimely death in September 2014 at 81 years old. Following her death, Joan's daughter, Melissa Rivers, filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the Manhattan clinic where Joan had been treated a week prior.

During the routine procedure, which was designed to evaluate the cause of her "voice changes" and sudden stomach reflux, Joan stopped breathing, a New York state medical examiner said, per CNN. The examiner's report revealed Joan's cause of death as "anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest" as Joan developed laryngospasm, an involuntary spasm of the vocal cords that makes it difficult to talk or breath.

In 2016, nearly two years after Joan's death, the Rivers family reached a settlement with Yorkville Endoscopy. While the amount of the settlement remains confidential, much of the unfortunately legal process played out in the public eye, given Joan's celebrity status. One of the more private things to come out of the ordeal, however, is Joan's final words. 

In a 2015 segment that aired on The "Today" Show, host Matt Lauer revealed the details of a conversation he had with Melissa Rivers, during which she describes how she learned of her mother Joan Rivers' last words. "The discovery process for this was extremely emotional," Lauer said on the show (via E! News). "As part of the process she actually got to learn what her mom's last words were. She says those will remain personal but she's satisfied that the doctors at the clinic have accepted responsibility for what happened to her mother."

Melissa has since spoken out about filing the lawsuit, a process she once described as one of the most difficult in her life, according to CBS News. The former "Fashion Police" executive producer and co-host went on to say that the process has turned her into an advocate toward reform in these medical procedures. "I will work towards ensuring higher safety standards in out-patient surgical clinics," Melissa expressed, per People.

Melissa Rivers expressed relief after reaching a settlement with Yorkville Endoscopy, however, the family's initial filing made a number of shocking allegations surrounding the circumstances of Joan Rivers' death. The complaint argues that doctors made several missteps during Joan's August 2014 procedure that contributed to her coma and death days later, reported NBC. The suit makes several allegations including failing to obtain written consent for additional procedures, presence of unauthorized personnel in the procedure room, and failing to intubate Joan after her airways became swollen. One of the most egregious allegations was a claim that one of the physicians used his cell phone to take photos of Joan while she was sedated.

Furthermore, an investigation by the New York Department of Health and Human Services revealed that the clinic's doctors "failed to identify deteriorating vital signs and provide timely intervention," according to Vanity Fair. 

The settlement deal, which was agreed upon by all parties, was made before the defendants were able to contest the alleged claims. Yorkville Endoscopy released a statement following the settlement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Rivers family. We remain committed to providing quality, compassionate healthcare services that meet the needs of our patients, their families and the community."