Update!

Drew Barrymore's Half-Sister Jessica Barrymore Found Dead in Car

Actress tells E! News in a statement she "wish(es) her and her loved ones as much peace as possible" and is "so incredibly sorry for their loss'

By Rebecca Macatee Aug 26, 2014 2:56 PMTags
Drew BarrymoreJon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

UPDATE: Drew Barrymore's half-sister died of an accidental overdose, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office announced Monday (per local affiliate NBC 7). Jessica Barrymore, 47, had alcohol, methamphetamine, methadone, tramadoland noriazepam in her system when she died, according to the medical examiner. Her death is considered an accident.

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Jessica Barrymore, the half-sister of actress Drew Barrymore, has died at age 47.

The medical examiner's report confirms that Jessica was found in a parked vehicle around 6 a.m. Tuesday in National City, Calif.  According to local ABC affiliate 10News, police were called to the scene by a Marta Lopez, a neighbor who reported being unable to get to work because Jessica's Toyota Camry was blocking her driveway.

Marta told 10News she walked over to the woman behind the wheel, telling her, "You need help, you need help." She reports that the seat was reclined and the woman had a SoBe energy drink between her legs. Marta reportedly looked at Jessica's neck to see if she was breathing. She also reports that "over on the passenger seat," she spotted "dozens of white pills scattered around." At this point, she called police.

Another neighbor, Oscar Sandoval, told 10News Jessica's car was parked in the same location since "around midnight" the evening before, explaining, "I thought she was sleeping or waiting for someone."

Drew, 39, gave a statement to E! News regarding her half-sister's passing, saying, "Although I only met her briefly, I wish her and her loved ones as much peace as possible and I'm so incredibly sorry for their loss."

Jessica reportedly worked at an area Petco animal supply store and was well liked by her co-workers. "Jessica was always a helpful person," her friend and co-worker Dawn Scott told 10News. "If we had any problems she would help us work things out. She would always put people first... She was one awesome, helpful person and she's someone we're all going to miss."

—Reporting by Lindsay Good and Marc Malkin

(Originally published July at 8:33 am PT.)