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.

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