Joan Rivers' death was caused by a complication during surgery which caused her brain to be starved of oxygen, according to autopsy results.

The results of a post-mortem examination has confirmed that Rivers had been sedated with Propofol for a procedure on her throat to investigate voice changes and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

A report from Julie Bolcer of the New York City Medical Examiner's Office reads: "The cause of Ms Rivers' death is anoxic encephalopathy [brain damage due to lack of oxygen] due to hypoxic arrest during laryngoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

"The manner of death is therapeutic complication. The classification of a death as a therapeutic complication means that the death resulted from a predictable complication of medical therapy."

Following the news, Joan's daughter Melissa Rivers released a statement thanking everyone for their messages of support.

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