Joan Rivers' died from complication, autopsy reveals

A coroner's report has revealed the cause of Joan Rivers' death.

The 81-year-old comedian suffered fatal brain damage from a lack of oxygen while on the operating table, the New York City medical examiner revealed.

The report said Rivers died from an "anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest” during a routine throat operation at a clinic in Manhattan in August.

The comedian suffered from a heart attack before slipping into a coma. She died a week later.

The autopsy concluded Rivers' manner of death was a therapeutic complication and there was no obvious medical error.

Rivers' daughter Melissa released a statement following the release of the autopsy.

"We continue to be saddened by our tragic loss and grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support from around the world," she said.

The state health department's investigation into the clinic has now been completed.