Heath Ledger has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment.
The unconcious body of the 28-year-old Aussie actor was discovered by his housekeeper on Tuesday afternoon.
Details are sketchy at the moment, but it is being reported that Ledger, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain in 2005, was found with pills strewn all about him.
Police say he had been due to have a massage at the flat, but when his housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived she discovered him alive but unresponsive.
Paramedics were called, but by the time they arrived it was too late. Police do not suspect foul play.
Heath's family uniformly issued this statement from Perth, Australia:
"We, Heath's family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time."
Police also do not suspect suicide at this time as no note was left. His uncle, Neil Bell, said as to Ledger's general attitude:
“He was in good spirits and having a wonderful time on this Terry Gilliam movie [The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus].”
Meanwhile, police spokesman Paul Browne said:
"We are investigating the possibility of an overdose."
Ledger last year split with his long-term girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda.
Read More:
New Yorkers 'Anguished' Over Death Of Heath Ledger – Fox News
markie says
Sad for his kid.
And for us… looks like he’s gonna be good in Batman, and that Gilliam film won’t go ahead now.
…
Have to ask, though – is hecklerspray going to be this respectful when Doherty or Winehouse finally manage in their herculean efforts to OD?
Gook says
I’m an Aussie, here’s a rumour that’s been circulating around his hometown of Perth.
He may have developed his crack habit during the filming of Brokeback Mountain…
Hey, if Hecklerspray won’t add some vitriol… I will.
Gook from Sydney; originally from Perth.
Carmela says
This is so so sad…
this is the only time i would rather read about britney going to the shops than find out someone with actual talent has passed away.
Stabby McGee says
Couldn’t have put it better, Carmela. This is really tragic. Aside from anything else, you just know the guy’s career was going to go into orbit after the new Batman film came out.
Regardless of the hows and whys, this is really sad. Sad for him, sad for his family, sad for his fans and the entertainment world in general.