Fact check: Is Joan Rivers alive

1. Summary of the results

Joan Rivers is not alive. All sources consistently confirm that the legendary comedian died on September 4, 2014, at the age of 81 ^{[1] [2]}. The cause of death was complications from a routine medical procedure, specifically anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest - a condition where brain tissue is deprived of oxygen ^[3].

The medical examiner's office ruled her death as a "therapeutic complication" with no suspicion of negligence ^[4]. Multiple sources describe the death as resulting from brain damage caused by low blood oxygen during what was supposed to be a routine procedure ^{[4] [5]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual information about Joan Rivers' death and its circumstances:

• Legal aftermath: Sources indicate there was a lawsuit that followed her death ^[1], suggesting legal disputes arose from the medical procedure complications
• Medical procedure details: The death occurred during what multiple sources describe as a "routine medical procedure" ^{[5] [4]}, though the specific nature of this procedure and the medical facility involved are referenced in the analyses
• Legacy impact: Beyond just confirming her death, sources discuss her "immeasurable legacy" and significant influence on the entertainment industry ^[2], indicating her continued cultural relevance despite her passing
• Industry influence: Her impact extended to "many aspects of show business" ^[2], suggesting her death represented a significant loss to the entertainment world

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "Is Joan Rivers alive" appears to be a straightforward factual inquiry rather than containing explicit misinformation. However, the phrasing could potentially:

• Suggest uncertainty about a well-documented death that occurred over a decade ago
• Lack awareness of widely reported and confirmed information about a public figure's passing
• Potentially feed conspiracy theories if the question stems from doubt about official reports, though no sources suggest any controversy about the fact of her death itself

The question's simplicity contrasts with the complex medical and legal circumstances surrounding her death ^{[4] [3]}, which involved detailed medical examinations and subsequent legal proceedings that confirmed the factual nature of her passing.