Posts Tagged ‘dead’

Heath Died of Prescription Overdose

February 6th, 2008 / Author: cwillett

Heath Ledger died from an accidental acute intoxication of prescription medicine, the New York medical examiner’s office announced Wednesday.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the office said in a statement.

"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."

Police found a handful of the aforementioned drugs at the Brokeback Mountain star’s apartment on the day of his death, Jan. 22. Among them were alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan), which are anti-anxiety medications. Other drugs present in the apartment were sleeping aids zopiclone (Lunesta) and the sedative temazepam (Restoril).

Oxycondone treats pain, hydrocodone is an anti-cough drug and doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine.

Shortly after this announcement was made public, Heath’s father Kim Ledger released the following statement:

"We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today’s results put an end to speculation, but our son’s beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts.

While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.

Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.

We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.

At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography."

Following two L.A. memorial services, Heath is expected to be buried in his hometown of Perth, Australia, this weekend.

Police Won’t Question Mary-Kate

January 28th, 2008

The New York Police Department has confirmed it will not question Mary-Kate Olsen in connection to Heath Ledger’s death last week.

”There’s absolutely no indication investigators were going to speak to Mary-Kate Olsen,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said at a news conference. ”They determined that they had all the info needed from witnesses who were on scene: That’s the cleaning woman, the masseuse.”

Mary-Kate, who spoke out about Heath’s death on Friday, was brought into the fold when masseuse Diana Wolozin called the 21-year-old four times when she found the body — three before calling 911 and one afterwawrds.

However, the decision to notify the Olsen twin before authorities should have no bearing on the case as police have determined Heath was most likely already dead when the masseuse found his body at around 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Diana could also face charges herself — it was discovered that she is not registered on the New York State Education Department Web site, which tracks health care professionals. Police are waiting for toxicology reports, which could take up to two weeks, before deciding whether or not to charge her for practicing without a license.

An autopsy performed on Wednesday proved to be inconclusive.

Update: Heath’s Parents Release Statement

January 23rd, 2008 / Author: cwillett

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim, released a statement to the media, calling Heath’s death "tragic, untimely and accidental."

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

Ledger’s mother, Sally, younger sister, Kate, family and friends have gathered at a house in the Perth suburb of Applecross to mourn the actor’s death. Ledger reportedly visited Perth last month for Christmas.

Heath Ledger: The Next Day

January 23rd, 2008

Having been a teenager when 10 Things I Hate About You hit theaters, I know what it’s like to harbor a crush on Heath Ledger. When A Knight’s Tale came out and his love interest had the same name as mine (Jocelyn), I knew I had to see it. I had to know what it would sound like for Heath to say my name. As you might imagine, it was lovely.??

Years later when I got into this business, Heath was one of those guys I had on my “people to interview” list. One, because he was extremely handsome. Two, because he was a great actor. And  three, because he seemed to truly embody cool.?? So it’s hard to put exactly into words how surreal it was for me to head to his apartment Tuesday evening and cover this unbelievable tragedy.

When I hit that now famous address, 421 Broome Street, around 5p.m., still in shock over the news that my teen heartthrob was dead, the throng of media was already beginning to assemble. But what truly struck me was the growing mass of non-media people gathering. Before long it seemed as if everyone in Manhattan had crowded on that cobbled SoHo sidewalk.?? ??

As the night progressed, a new generation of teenage girls, complete disbelief on their faces, showed up to leave flowers for Heath at his apartment. Roses and notes were strew in front of his doorstep. It was oddly quiet on that SoHo street. It felt like a dream, everything moved in slow motion and no one seemed to want to say anything. You could almost hear people breathing.

These are not the kind of stories you like to cover. And Heath is not the guy you want it to be about. I was reluctant to see the medical examiner enter the building and I was reluctant to see Heath’s body leave it. The neighbors I spoke to seemed sincerely upset that Heath died. They said he seemed so happy and lucky. And all they could remember was how happy he was when he was with his two-year-old daughter, Matilda.

Memories are what we all have know. And I’ll always know what the sound of his voice saying my name sounds like.

 

By Jocelyn Vena 

Heath Ledger Autopsy Inconclusive

January 23rd, 2008

A medical examiner for New York City has said that Wednesday’s autopsy into Heath Ledger’s death is inconclusive.

New York City Medical Examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said, "We have to do further testing including toxicology and tissue testing. Neither cause of death or manner of death has been concluded. We expect additional results in 10 days to two weeks."

 

Although it has been confirmed that Heath had pneumonia at the time of his death and prescription pills were found in his apartment yesterday afternoon, there is still no reason for Heath’s untimely death.

 

UPDATE: According to the Associated Press, authorities found six different types of prescription drugs in Ledger’s apartment, including pills to treat insomnia, anxiety and an antihistamine. Three of the drugs were prescribed in Europe.

 

The NYPD has also confirmed no illegal drugs were found in the actor’s apartment, and a rolled up $20 dollar bill found at the scene tested negative for drug residue.

 

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly released the information at a Manhattan news conference, but did not elaborate on whether police think the bill — discovered on the floor near Ledger’s bed — may have been used to snort drugs.

 

The prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety 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.

 

Heath Ledger: Life On Screen

January 23rd, 2008

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Heath Ledger Dies at 28

January 22nd, 2008

UPDATE: Sleeping pills weren’t the only thing found in Heath Ledger’s Soho apartment. According to New York’s CBS 2, a $20 bill containing residue of an unknown substance and what appear to be drug baggies were also in the apartment.

Though it is unclear whether these narcotics belonged to Heath, or whether they had anything to do with his tragic death, a friend of the actor confirms to OK!, "Heath had serious problems with drugs, including cocaine and heroin."

_______________________

In news that shocked the world, Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger was found dead inside his apartment in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood on Tuesday.

(Click here for a video report on the story )


The 28-year-old was discovered Tuesday afternoon when a masseuse arrived for a scheduled appointment around 3:30 p.m. Unable to enter the apartment, Heath’s housekeeper opened the door and found the actor unresponsive and unclothed in the bed with pills scattered around. Authorities were contacted and the actor was eventually pronounced dead around 3:45 p.m.

Amid a flood of reporters and onlookers, the medical examiner arrived on the scene at 5:40 p.m. Heath’s body was eventually wheeled out of the building at 6:30 p.m.

New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne confirmed to OK! that the pills found near the actor were sleep aids prescribed to the Brokeback Mountain star. However, Browne also said that he was in no position to make a claim whether or not drugs were involved in the actor’s untimely demise. The police have stated that they have yet to find any illegal substances in the room, and the official cause of death will not be released until after the medical examiner has had a chance to look at the body and can file a proper report. An autopsy is expected to begin Wednesday.

Teamba Mossa, the superintendant for the building, confirms to OK! that Heath did not own the apartment, and that he received a frantic phone call from the housekeeper following her discovery of the star’s body. Mossa also tells OK! that Ledger was a very good tenant since moving into the building in the fall of 2007. "I always have conversations with him when I see him," Teamba told OK!.

"It was a shock," Julie McIntosh, who worked in a salon near the apartment, tells OK!. "He seemed so lucky, and had so much going for him."

A statement issued by Warner Bros., the studio behind Heath’s upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight, reads: "The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

According to a friend of the star, Heath was severely depressed following the August split from former girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a 2-year-old daughter, Matilda. "He frequently seemed comatose and out of it," the friend tells OK!. "Heath had serious problems with drugs, including cocaine and heroin."

However, adds the friend, Heath had been trying to stay sober in recent months. "At a party in December, he was doing his best to avoid people doing drugs," explains the friend. "But that didn’t seem to work, as he was spotted partaking later in the night."

In an interview with New York Magazine following the release of his 2006 film Candy, in which he portrayed a junkie, Heath denied having even tried heroin. "It has been so romanticized through music, literature and movies," he explained. "I kind of feel like anybody on the street could portray a junkie. But I’ve smoked a joint before, so I know what it’s like to be high. I’m addicted to tobacco, so I know what an addiction is — you just amplify it."

 

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim, released a statement to the media, calling Heath’s death "tragic, untimely and accidental."

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

Ledger’s mother, Sally, younger sister, Kate, family and friends have gathered at a house in the Perth suburb of Applecross to mourn the actor’s death. Ledger reportedly visited Perth last month for Christmas.

 

By Jocelyn Vena

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