'Ledger had no illegal drugs'

2008-01-24 09:28

New York - 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 will not be known for several days after a preliminary autopsy was inconclusive, authorities said.

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, officials said on Wednesday.

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 Australian-born actor was found dead on 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.

'Inconclusive'

Ellen Borakove, a spokesperson for the medical examiner's office, said 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 on Tuesday between 13:00 and 14:45. At 13:00, the housekeeper went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.

At 14:45, 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 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 realised that Ledger might be dead, and called Olsen again, and then called an ambulance. Paramedics - and Olsen's security people - arrived minutes later.

News of the death stunned family, fans and colleagues.

"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."

'He was no drug addict'

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 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.

Speaking in Australia, Ledger's father called the death "tragic, untimely and accidental."

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life," Kim Ledger said. "Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

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.

- AP