N.Y. officials investigating clinic where Joan Rivers had procedure

New York state health officials have opened an investigation into the clinic where Joan Rivers was undergoing a minor procedure last week when complications sent her to the hospital.

The comedian, who died Thursday at age 81, was undergoing an outpatient throat surgery when she stopped breathing and was said to have gone into cardiac arrest.

State health officials confirmed Thursday that they were examining the Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic and the circumstances surrounding Rivers’ procedure and its complications.

“We are investigating the matter,” said Monica Mahaffey, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. She declined to give additional details, citing the ongoing inquiry.

On Aug. 28, Rivers was rushed to New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was reportedly placed in a medically induced coma; she died “peacefully” a week later, “surrounded by family and close friends,” daughter Melissa Rivers said in a statement.

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