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Heath Ledger Autopsy "Inconclusive"; Actor Possessed Six Prescription Drugs
Heath Ledger by LRRB and Co./WireImage.com
In the wake of Heath Ledger's shocking death, the AP reports that an autopsy being conducted today is so far "inconclusive." Sources from the medical examiner's office say that more tests are needed, and it will be about 10 days before more details are known.
No illegal drugs were found in the actor's apartment, and a rolled-up $20 bill found near his body has tested negative for any trace of narcotics. Ledger, though, was in possession of six prescription medications, including pills to treat insomnia and anxiety, and an antihistamine, the AP reports. Three of the drugs were prescribed in Europe.
Ledger's passing has been described by his family as "accidental," police reported no obvious indications of suicide, and he was heard alive as late as 12:30 pm (three hours before he was found). Since his death, glowing remembrances of the 28-year-old actor have come to the fore. "He was really polite and nice," Paul Sevigny, the owner of a West Village club Ledger frequented, tells the New York Times, adding that amid a city of hard-partying troublemakers, Ledger "certainly wasn't one of them."
Within hours of the unsettling news, friends, onetime cast mates and other peers made statements fondly remembering Ledger. "I would give back all my awards to have him back," John Travolta told PageSix.com at a Tuesday event. "This whole evening has been really hard for me."
Director Ang Lee also spoke out about the loss, telling the AP, "Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life. He brought to the role of [Brokeback Mountain's] Ennis more than any of us could have imagined. His death is heartbreaking."
While Ledger's ex-fiancιe, Michelle Williams, is en route to New York City from Sweden (where she was lensing a movie), Naomi Watts, who dated Ledger for 16 months (until April 2004), has canceled all her appearances at the Sundance Film Festival.
Until more details about the cause of Ledger's death emerge, friends and family can only speculate on what went wrong. Ledger's uncle, Neil Bell, tells the Times, "He was in good spirits and having a wonderful time on this Terry Gilliam movie," The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which Heath was filming for a 2009 release.
Ledger's rep hopes to quell any hypothesizing, saying, "This is an extremely difficult time for his loved ones and we are asking the media to please respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation until the facts are known."
Related:
Ausiello: Grieving Heath Ledger via Ennis Del Mar
Film critic Ken Fox reflects on Ledger's career
Poll: Which of Ledger's films is your personal favorite?
Heath Ledger Found Dead; Family Calls It "Tragic, Untimely"
Jeers: Larry King flubs Heath Ledger tribute
Watch video: News coverage of Ledger's shocking death
Watch video: Clips from Ledger's films
Photo gallery: Heath Ledger's life in pictures
Photo gallery: Stars and friends tribute Ledger
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Jan 23, 2008 9:01 AM
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This is all just too sad to imagine.
It reminds me of the shock that I had when Steve Irwin died, only multiplied many times.
By the way, Matt, Michelle Williams was Heath's ex-fiancee, not ex-wife, although they do share a daughter.
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Jan 23, 2008 10:24 AM
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By the way, Matt, Michelle Williams was Heath's ex-fiancee, not ex-wife, although they do share a daughter.
Carrie0930 - It was speculated that they were secretly married because they referred to each other as wife/husband in a few interviews. For all we know, they were married and kept it private.
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Jan 23, 2008 10:32 AM
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What a shock. I'm so sad about this. My condolences to his family.
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Jan 23, 2008 10:48 AM
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This has been extremely shocking and sad to me. For all the celebrity deaths I have heard about, none have affected me like this. Heath was an extremely talented actor and I always looked forward to seeing what he would do on film next. He was taken far too soon. My condolences go out to his family and friends, especially his little daughter that will now have to grow up without a father. I know it sounds ridiculous but I really felt as if I knew him in a way. Hopefully he can rest in peace now.
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Jan 23, 2008 11:20 AM
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"I would give back all my awards to have him back," John Travolta told PageSix.com
Wow. What a sacrifice.
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Jan 23, 2008 12:07 PM
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My heart goes out to his friends and family. I am glad the statement requests that people basically stop guessing. I could not believe some of the comments I read yesterday. A few compared him to Britney (you also don't know what is really going on with her), River and other people with drug problems. Some said money doesn't buy happiness (true but might have nothing to do with Heath Ledger), and some said stars should not turn to drugs. None of you know what was going on in his house or with him. You weren't there. If you wait a while some actual facts might come out.
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Jan 23, 2008 12:14 PM
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AchyFakey, I absolutely agree. Silly scientologists.
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Jan 23, 2008 12:50 PM
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I still can't believe he is really gone. I can only imagine the pain his family is going through and I am sure that the media isn't going to help them at all.
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Jan 23, 2008 1:02 PM
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This really saddens me more than any other celebrity death I can remember, and I'm not even sure why. It's not like I knew him personally, but I feel like it's such a huge loss.
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Jan 23, 2008 1:05 PM
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AchyFakey, I was thinking the same exact thing. Wooo, the Great and Powerful Traaavooooltaaaa willing to trade mantle decorations for a life... big sacrifice. 
I'm still in shock over this. His talent and potential as an acting great knew no bounds. What a loss. 
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Jan 23, 2008 1:05 PM
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"Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Aussie actor's father, Kim,..."
That is what hurts - a parent should never have to bury a child. There's an inherent "wrongness" to it, to the laws of nature, to our faith in a higher power.
As child who lost a parent at a very young age, I can state, you cope and you grow up and you live. Matilda is loved by her mother and especially by both families. She will be a cherished life who is cared for even more deeply now. To the Ledger family she's the only child of their child and will keep him alive for them as long as they all live.
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Jan 23, 2008 1:10 PM
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Out of all the actors in Hollywood, IMHO, Ledger was one of the best. My husband and I have been looking forward to seeing him as the Joker in the Dark Knight since we found out he was cast. The world has lost a very talented entertainer. My heart goes out to friends, family and especially Matilda.
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Jan 23, 2008 2:13 PM
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It takes up to 2 days for an autopsy to be made final, with the final results. So we will not know until Thursday.
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Jan 23, 2008 2:30 PM
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My condolences to Heath Ledgers family. He was such a talented actor with a promising career. It's so tragic but I side with his family in saying the death was accidental. He really didn't strike me as a person to commit suicide. I hope the family get the answers they need from the autopsy.
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Jan 23, 2008 2:37 PM
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