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Police Sort Out Clues Into Ledger's Death

Six Different Prescription Drugs Found in Home; Autopsy Inconclusive

By TOM HAYS AND KAREN MATTHEWS, AP

Posted: 2008-01-24 16:21:39

Filed Under: Star Obituaries, Movie News

NEW YORK (Jan. 24) - Six different types of prescription drugs were found in Heath Ledger's apartment - including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills - though the cause of his death won't be known for several days after a preliminary autopsy Wednesday came back inconclusive, authorities said.

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A Rising Star's
Tragic End

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Although Ledger's parents are flying to NYC for the July 14 premiere of 'The Dark Knight' (his last completed film role), Page Six reports that ex Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda may not attend due to a feud with the Ledger family over Heath's will.

A rolled-up $20 bill was also found on the floor near the Australian actor's bed, but lab tests detected no traces of drug residue. Police also said no illegal drugs were found in the apartment.

Among the prescription medications found were pills to treat insomnia and anxiety, and an antihistamine, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Three of the drugs were prescribed in Europe, the sources said. Ledger had recently been filming in London.

The $20 bill was found on the floor near Ledger's bed, and New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said lab tests found nothing to indicate it had been used to snort drugs.

The actor was found dead Tuesday by his housekeeper and a massage therapist - lying naked and face-down on his bed, police said. The pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police said the death was caused by a possible drug overdose and appeared to be accidental.

More Heath Ledger Coverage

<< Featured Video: Family and friends pay their respects to Ledger in Los Angeles.

Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said that the autopsy on the 28-year-old actor was inconclusive and that more would be known in about 10 days, when more tests were completed.

Police said Ledger probably died Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. At 1 p.m., the housekeeper went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.

At 2:45 p.m., the massage therapist showed up for Ledger's appointment, knocked on his door and got no answer. She later noticed Ledger was unconscious and called actress Mary-Kate Olsen, whose number was programmed into Ledger's cell phone, to seek advice.

Olsen said she would send over her private security. In the ensuing moments, the massage therapist realized that Ledger might be dead, called Olsen again, then called 911. Paramedics - and Olsen's security people - arrived minutes later.

News of the death stunned relatives, fans and colleagues.

A Rising Star's Tragic End

Heath Ledger's friend Vincent Fantauzzo has submitted a portrait of the actor the two conceived together for Australia's prestigious Archibald Prize. Of Ledger's death, Fantauzzo said, "I just didn't believe it. When you paint someone, you meditate over them. I was painting Heath every day for 10 hours a day."
INCO / Fame Pictures
Michelle Williams, left, and Kate Ledger arrive at the Feb. 9 memorial service for Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on Jan. 22. Matilda, Williams and Ledger's 2-year-old daughter, was not there.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
"It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world," said the actor's father, Kim Ledger. "Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe."
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
Model Gemma Ward, above, who was rumored to have dated Ledger briefly in late 2007 or early 2008, was among the celebrities on hand for Ledger's memorial. Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, who co-starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan biopic 'I'm Not There,' eulogized the late actor.
Rob Griffith, AP
Sally Ledger-Bell, left, and her husband Roger Bell arrive at the memorial service for her son, Heath, which drew about 100 mourners. It was followed by a more private funeral with "10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," according to Kim Ledger.
Rob Griffith, AP
Mourners arriving for the wake at the Indiana Tea House in Perth, Australia, were met by a floral tribute to Ledger, with a note that read, "To the Ledger Family, Deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved son. Our thoughts are with you always."
Paul Kane, Getty Images
Ledger's family and friends watched the sunset on Cottesloe Beach. "The sun goes down on our love," said two mourners. "But it will never go down on Heathy."
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
A group of mourners in various stages of dress ran into the water, including Ledger's sister, Kate, who got a hug from a friend. Ledger's father watched from the balcony of the tea house and shouted, "Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" while giving the spectacle two thumbs up.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
Williams was walked into the ocean by a friend, too, and emerged from the water smiling. Ledger's family and friends watched the sunset on Cottesloe Beach. "It's exactly what Heath would have wanted," one mourner told PEOPLE magazine.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
The New York City medical examiner's office has ruled that Heath Ledger's death was caused by "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine." Five other medications were found in the actor's apartment by the NYPD.
Chris Carlson, AP

"Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life," said Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain." "He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined - a thirst for life, for love and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking."

Lee Daniels, who produced the critically acclaimed "Monster's Ball," in which Ledger starred, strongly disputed any notion that Ledger had a drug problem.

"The definition of substance abuse is really up to one's perspective," Daniels said. "I didn't see him as a drug addict. I saw him as someone who enjoyed life. I know drug addicts; he was not a drug addict."

He said that he saw Ledger a couple months ago and that he was in great spirits. "He was in a good mood, he was in a great place ... he was excited about living in New York."

Before moving to Manhattan, Ledger lived in Brooklyn with then-girlfriend Michelle Williams in a four-story, sage-green brownstone with a black wrought-iron fence. Yellow tulips with red stripes were among the bouquets left by well-wishers Wednesday.

At the Brawta Caribbean Cafe two blocks from the residence, owner Jennifer Ewers said Ledger was a frequent guest who always ordered jerk chicken, rice and beans, and sorrel.

"He was a perfect gentleman. He comes in here with his hoodie on, reads a book, and gives you a peace sign," she said. "He was always with his daughter, playing hide-and-seek among the plants, or on his skateboard, peeking his head in."

Fans left flowers and candles Wednesday outside Ledger's apartment in the tony SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan on Wednesday. Khaled Ali, 41, a stage manager for a Broadway show, dropped off a candle on his way to work, saying he and fellow cast members were devastated.

"I felt a connection with him as an actor, as a fellow in the theater community," he said. "With `Brokeback Mountain' he touched me personally in telling the story of my community. It was very touching."

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Barry King, WireImage.com

Hollywood Stars
Dead Before 40

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One-time Oscar nominee River Phoenix was considered one of Hollywood's top, young talents when he died of heart failure brought on by drug use at 23.

Ledger was known for grueling, intense roles that became his trademark after he got his start in teen movies like "10 Things I Hate About You." Thereafter, he avoided the easy path in favor of roles that forced him to bury his Australian accent and downplay his leading-man looks: the tormented gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain"; a drug addict in "Candy"; an incarnation of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."

Playing the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie "The Dark Knight" may be his final finished performance.

Ledger split last year from Williams, who played his wife in "Brokeback." The two had a daughter, the now 2-year-old Matilda. Wednesday evening, Williams and Matilda returned to their Brooklyn home from Trollhattan, Sweden. The 27-year-old actress had been shooting scenes for the film "Mammoth," said Martin Stromberg, a spokesman for film production company Memfis Film.

"She received the news at her hotel late last night," Stromberg said, adding he had not spoken to the actress after she learned of Ledger's death.

A day after Ledger's death, at least six TV satellite trucks were parked on the block or around the corner from his Manhattan apartment, with a stream of TV reporters doing their standups. There were bouquets, letters and candles piled in front of the building.

A handwritten letter on plain white paper anchored by votive candles read:

"Heath, how could anyone hate 10 things about you. We couldn't find one bad thing about you. God bless your soul, you're in our prayers."

Associated Press writers Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Clare Trapasso contributed to this report.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-01-22 16:54:33

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