The New York Police Department is joining the list of agencies investigating the death of 81-year-old comedian Joan Rivers, who died a week after a routine surgical procedure on her throat.
"Yes, NYPD is investigating," a police source told
The Hollywood Reporter Saturday. "We investigate all such deaths, meaning 'not by natural causes.' Although it might end up being ruled natural by the [medical examiner], when it's not readily apparent, we investigate."
Rivers died Thursday after she was taken off life support. A week before, while having the surgical procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy in New York, she suffered cardiac arrest and was admitted to Manhattan's Mount Sinai Hospital the same day.
On Friday, the News York City Medical Examiner's office told The Hollywood Reporter that Rivers' autopsy was "pending further studies"
The New York State Department of Health is also conducting a separate investigation into Rivers' death.
A private funeral was held for Rivers at Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El Sunday.
On Sunday morning, a legion of notables turned out at New York's Temple Emanu-El to remember Rivers, who died Thursday including Kathy Griffin, whose edgy, biting comedy career was largely made possible by Rivers; colleague and friend Kelly Osbourne; Sarah Jessica Parker; Whoopi Goldberg; and Howard Stern.
Theater stars Bernadette Peters, Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune were there. Record producer Clive Davis arrived, too. Fashion designers Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors attended. Stars from TV such as Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer, Kathie Lee, Hoda Kotb and Andy Cohen attended as did moguls Barry Diller, Donald Trump and Steve Forbes.
Mourners lined up outside the Fifth Avenue synagogue and waited for their names to be checked against a list before entering. Barricades lined several blocks of Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and a crowd of fans and media stood watch across the street.
The comedian detailed in her 2012 book "I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me" that she hoped for "a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action" and "Hollywood all the way." Instead of a rabbi talking, Rivers asked for "Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents" and "a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyonce's."
Rivers was a trailblazer for all comics, but especially for women. The raspy-voiced blonde with the brash New York accent was a TV talk show host, actress, fashion critic, and business woman who sold a line of jewelry.
Rivers was hospitalized on Aug. 28 after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at a doctor's office. The New York state health department is investigating the circumstances, and the New York City medical examiner said tests to determine the cause of death were inconclusive.
In her book, Rivers joked that dying of natural causes was boring. "It's the grand finale, act three, the eleven o'clock number — make it count. If you're going to die, die interesting! Is there anything worse than a boring death? I think not."
Her publicist said that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to God's Love, We Deliver; Guide Dogs for the Blind; or Our House.