The Los Angeles Fire Department’s statement offered little detail as to what led to her death, but longtime friends of Keaton have offered new information.
Although an official cause of death has not yet been confirmed, those close to Keaton have spoken out about her final days.
In an interview with People, longtime friend Carole Bayer Sager revealed that the 79-year-old had been desperately impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, which tore through the US city earlier this year.
The award-winning songwriter said: “I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin. She had lost so much weight.
“She had to go to Palm Springs because her house had been damaged inside, and they had to clean everything.”
The musician added: “She was down there for a while, and when she came back, I was kind of stunned by how much weight she’d lost.”
Another insider revealed that the star’s health had took a turn in recent months, having noted that Keaton ‘declined very suddenly.’
The close friend said: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.
“It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”
They added: “In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private.
“Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
Following Keaton’s death, the Los Angeles Fire Department released a statement which read: “There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness.”
Tributes from fans poured in, as one wrote: “I wasn’t ready for this forever lively legend to be gone so soon.”
Another said: “A true legend. Thank you for your talent, your animal advocacy, your immeasurable charm. You will be missed.”
Keaton opened up about her eating disorder over a decade ago in 2014, noting that she suffered from bulimia, which is characterized by binge eating.
“All I did was feed my hunger, so I am an addict,” she said. “It’s true. I’m an addict in recovery, I’ll always be an addict. I have an addictive nature to me.”
Keaton is survived by her two children, daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25, whom she welcomed through adoption when she was in her fifties.