Natasha Richardson Died of Epidural Hematoma After Skiing Accident. Natasha Richardson's death was indeed caused by her fall on a Canadian ski slope. The New York City Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on the Tony Award-winning actress Thursday. She died Wednesday at age 45. The office ruled her death accidental, citing the cause as an epidural hematoma due to a blunt impact to the head. Funeral arrangements for Richardson will be handled by New York City's Greenwich Village Funeral Home.