Underlying cause of Fisher’s death is still unknown

LOS ANGELES — Carrie Fisher’s death certificate confirms that the actress died of cardiac arrest, but it says more investigation is needed to try to determine the underlying cause.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued the death certificate in the name of Carrie Frances Fisher. It was obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

Under “cause of death” it says “cardiac arrest/ deferred.” The “deferred” designation indicates that more investigation is needed by the county coroner, usually in the form of toxicology tests that can take several weeks to complete.

Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd is listed as the notifying party.

Fisher had a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23. She died at age 60 on Dec. 27 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the certificate says.

Her mother Debbie Reynolds died the following day at another Los Angeles hospital, after having her own medical emergency while making memorial plans for her daughter.