Source: Doctor conducted Joan Rivers' biopsy without consent, snapped a selfie in the room

A source close to the investigation into Joan Rivers' death told CNN that the doctor who performed a vocal cord biopsy on the late comedian did not have her prior consent, and also snapped a selfie in the procedure room while Rivers was under anesthesia.

Rivers went into cardiac arrest as her personal ear, nose, and throat physician, who has not been publicly identified, began the biopsy on her vocal cords, the source said. The 81-year-old was at the Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic in Manhattan for a scheduled endoscopy by gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen. After Cohen was finished, the source said, the biopsy was started, and investigators believe her vocal cords started to swell, which cut off oxygen to her lungs.

Last week, Yorkville Endoscopy said in a statement that the clinic has never done a vocal cord biopsy on the premises. The source told CNN that neither Cohen or the ear, nose, and throat doctor have been accused by investigators of any wrongdoing.

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