Gary Coleman`s ex-wife may not have had authority to pull life support plug

New York: It has emerged that late `Diff`rent Strokes` actor Gary Coleman`s ex-wife may not have had the authority to pull the plug on his life support. Coleman`s lawyer has questioned whether Shannon Price had the right to remove the actor from life support after he suffered a brain haemorrhage.

"Some people have raised the issue that they saw Gary and Shannon on `Divorce Court`," the New York Daily News quoted Coleman`s attorney, Randy Kester, as telling UsMagazine. "And now there`s some questions about whether or not they were married at the time of the death and whether [Shannon] had the authority to pull the plug at the hospital. "Some people in the public are raising issues whether she had authority to do that and if she has authority to be making funeral arrangements, and exactly where she fits into his estate. "I think there`s going to be some developing controversy about some issues of authority," he stated. According to divorce papers, obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Coleman and Price were legally divorced on August 12, 2008. The actor was the one who filed for divorce and paid for the court fees. When "ET" contacted the hospital where Coleman died, a spokesperson said they did not know of the couple`s relationship. "We had no indication that the information Shannon gave us was false. She portrayed herself as his wife," the spokesperson said. Since Coleman and Price were not legally married at the time of the actor`s death, her decision to take the actor off life support raises suspicion, and documents clarifying her actions are yet to be found. "Everyone is out there searching for a will, and I haven`t seen one yet," Kester added. Price, 24, has not responded directly to the controversy. She wrote in a statement that she was "very grateful for all the wonderful support [from fans]... This is so comforting to the family to know how beloved he still is". ANI