Joni Mitchell, who was rushed to the hospital on March 31, is now reportedly in a coma and unresponsive.
The news was first reported by TMZ, which notes that Leslie Morris, her close friend of 44 years, filed legal documents for conservatorship of Mitchell’s affairs. Mitchell has no close relatives who could do that, Morris said.
Morris claims in the documents that Mitchell is so “impaired as to be incapable of being assessed."
Mitchell was rushed to the hospital on March 31 after she was found unconscious. On April 4, reps for the singer wrote that she was “resting comfortably” and that her “progress is encouraging as she continues to improve each day.” Her reps have yet to provide an update or a response to the TMZ story.
Mitchell, who has Morgellons disease, is best known for songs like “Big Yellow Taxi,” “The Circle Game,” “Both Sides Now” and “Woodstock.” She has not made a new album since 2007, but did release a new hits set in 2014.
Update: A message on Mitchell's official website reads:
"Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet today, Joni is not in a coma. Joni is still in the hospital - but she comprehends, she’s alert, and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected. The document obtained by a certain media outlet simply gives her longtime friend Leslie Morris the authority - in the absence of 24-hour doctor care - to make care decisions for Joni once she leaves the hospital. As we all know, Joni is a strong-willed woman and is nowhere near giving up the fight. Please continue to keep Joni in your thoughts. You may add your well wishes for her at the website WeLoveYouJoni.com."
image via John White/INFGoff.com