Rivers' daughter breaks silence

Joan Rivers’ daughter is “forever grateful” for the outpouring of kindness in the wake of her mother’s death.

Joan passed away September 4 at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital after falling into cardiac arrest following surgery on her vocal cords the previous week. She was 81.

Speaking out for the first time since her mother was memorialised at a funeral in New York City September 7, Melissa Rivers said she and her 13-year-old son will be “forever grateful” for the touching messages they have received from supporters around the world.

"As my son Cooper and I mourn the loss of my mother, we want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and flowers conveying heartfelt messages and condolences, which continue to arrive from around the world and through social media," read her post on WhoSay.

"My mother would have been overwhelmed by the scope and depth of the love that people have expressed for her. It is certainly helping to lift our spirits during this time,” she continued.

"We are forever grateful for your kindness and support in continuing to honor my mother’s legacy, and for remembering the joy and laughter that she brought to so many.”

The note came as scrutiny is intensifying against a doctor who performed a biopsy on Joan during the outpatient procedure at Manhattan’s Yorkville Endoscopy clinic.

A staff member for the clinic recently told CNN the physician took a selfie in the procedure room while the late star was under anaesthesia.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen, the clinic’s medical director, has since stepped down from his position.
The personal physician has not been identified.