Carrie Fisher cause of death was heart attack, but coroner probing why

Carrie Fisher's death certificate confirms that the actress died of a heart attack, 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.

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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 the 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.

Reynolds' death certificate, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press,confirms that the actress died of a stroke.

Under cause of death it says "intracerebral hemorrhage," a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. The certificate lists high blood pressure as an underlying cause

Fisher's death certificate lists "writer" as the occupation in which shespent most of her life.

It also says Fisher had been in the entertainment business for 46 years, and her highest level of education was 10th grade.

Fisher, star of the Star Warssaga, and Reynolds, the Singin' in the Rainactress, were mourned in a joint memorial at their neighbouring homes on Thursday, and had a joint funeral at a Hollywood Hills cemetery the next day.

Relatives have said they are now planning a public memorial for them.