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Heath Ledger Autopsy Inconclusive
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead in his New York apartment. Initial speculation pointed to a drug overdose. It was also reported that Mr. Ledger had been ill, possibly with pneumonia.
30-Second Summary
Pathologists conducting today's autopsy said that their findings were inconclusive. It will be at least 10 days before they will be able to explain the cause of death.
A statement by Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the New York Police Department, confirmed that Ledger’s masseuse and housekeeper found the actor dead at 2:45 p.m. local time. He was seen lying face down, curled up on the floor at the foot of his bed. Bottles of prescription medication, including sleeping pills, were found nearby.
Ledger’s father read out a statement, saying, “We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. (EST).”
The lack of a conclusive autopsy report means that conjecture in the press is unlikely to let up soon. Earlier today, The Huffington Post reported that Ledger had a bout of pneumonia.
Elsewhere, an unidentified friend of the actor told celebrity magazine Us Weekly that Ledger was suffering from substance abuse problems. “Heath has gone though a rough road of trying to get sober. Unfortunately he was too late in getting help,” said the source.
View Wall Street Journal coverage.
A statement by Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the New York Police Department, confirmed that Ledger’s masseuse and housekeeper found the actor dead at 2:45 p.m. local time. He was seen lying face down, curled up on the floor at the foot of his bed. Bottles of prescription medication, including sleeping pills, were found nearby.
Ledger’s father read out a statement, saying, “We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. (EST).”
The lack of a conclusive autopsy report means that conjecture in the press is unlikely to let up soon. Earlier today, The Huffington Post reported that Ledger had a bout of pneumonia.
Elsewhere, an unidentified friend of the actor told celebrity magazine Us Weekly that Ledger was suffering from substance abuse problems. “Heath has gone though a rough road of trying to get sober. Unfortunately he was too late in getting help,” said the source.
View Wall Street Journal coverage.
Headline Links: ‘Actor Heath Ledger is Found Dead in New York Building’
On Jan. 22, Australian actor Heath Ledger was found dead by his housekeeper in the New York apartment he was renting. His housekeeper had come up to tell the 28-year-old Ledger that his masseuse was ready for his appointment. Bottles of prescription medication, including four sleeping pills, were found near his body but, according to authorities, it was not clear whether the actor had committed suicide.
Source: International Herald Tribune
The Huffington Post compiled a list of statements from those close to the actor. According to reports from In Touch magazine, Ledger’s parents first heard of their son’s death from watching the news. “We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. (EST),” his father, Kim, read while accompanied by mother Sally and Ledger’s sister, Katie.” Reports from gossip site TMZ said that he had pneumonia, writes The Huffington Post.
Source: The Huffington Post
A close friend of Ledger’s told Us Weekly that the actor was suffering from substance abuse problems. “Heath has gone though a rough road of trying to get sober. Unfortunately he was too late in getting help.”
Source: Us Weekly
Us Weekly has an official report on its Web site from the New York Police Department. Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the NYPD, confirmed that Ledger’s masseuse and housekeeper found the actor dead at 2:45 p.m. EST, Jan. 22. He was seen lying face down, curled up on the floor at the foot of his bed.
Source: Us Weekly
Background: Original reports
Within a few hours of the story breaking, the “City Room” section of The New York Times reported that a masseuse entered Ledger's apartment in lower Manhattan to find the actor unconscious on a bed. Ledger’s housekeeper reported that she heard him snoring at 12:30 p.m. Police reported finding no evidence that the death was a suicide. Ledger had recently broken up with his fiancée Michelle Williams, the mother of his young daughter.
Source: The New York Times’s City Room
The Associated Press reported comments from Ledger’s fellow Australians, including actress Nicole Kidman.
Source: Associated Press
Biography: Ledger’s career and struggles
Australian Heath Ledger’s film career took off while he was in his teen years, playing a number of roles in small movies in his native country before landing a spot in the 1999 teen comedy “10 Things I Hate About You.” He exhibited great range as an actor, with appearances in films as varied as “Monster’s Ball,” “The Patriot,” “A Knight’s Tale” and “The Order.” He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as cowboy Ennis Del Mar in “Brokeback Mountain.” In “Candy” he played an Australian heroin addict, a role for which he consulted a recovering junkie to learn how to shoot up. Ledger said, "To be honest, I'm not sure how much research the part required. I've smoked a joint before so I know what it's like to feel high, and there's so much media out there about drug abuse, we all sort of know how it plays out."
Source: The Globe and Mail
In September 2007, Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger parted ways after a three-year romance. The couple met during the filming of “Brokeback Mountain” and had a daughter, Matilda Rose, in 2005. According to a source close to the pair, “The relationship had been rocky recently. They tried very hard to make it work but finally decided to separate. They just grew apart.”
Source: MSNBC
Cate Blanchett was nominated for “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” for her work in the Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not There.” Ledger, who also had a major role in the film, was passed over by the Academy this year.
Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Related Links: ‘Young Celebrities Prompting Early Obits’
News that the AP had drafted an obituary for 26-year-old pop star Britney Spears leaked from the wire services offices. Considered common practice for older celebrities, Adam Bernstein, reporter for The Washington Post, says that there is a case to be made for preparing obituaries for younger stars prone to risky behavior. "Somebody like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan or Amy Winehouse, you could arguably put something together. But it takes a significant chunk of your time to do it and there are people who are incredibly more accomplished and in their 100s,” he said.
Source: The Associated Press
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