Comedy pioneer and legend Joan Rivers has died. Her daughter Melissa Rivers released a written statement confirming the death of her mother at 1:17pm on September 4, 2014. Melissa added that Joan passed peacefully surrounded by family and close friends. Rivers stopped breathing during a surgery on her vocal cords at a NYC clinic on August 28th and was rushed to Mount Sinai in critical condition. Her daughter added that she and her son Cooper have been humbled by that outpouring of love from around the world and even though it's hard right now, she knows her mom's final wish would be that we return to laughing soon. Rest in peace, Joan..