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| Heath Ledger is found dead in US | Heath Ledger is found dead in US |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hollywood actor Heath Ledger has been found dead at a residence in Manhattan. | |
| "He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead," the New York Police Department said, adding that pills were found near the body. | "He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead," the New York Police Department said, adding that pills were found near the body. |
| Police are reportedly investigating if the Australian actor, who earned an Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain, died of a drug overdose. | Police are reportedly investigating if the Australian actor, who earned an Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain, died of a drug overdose. |
| Father Kim Ledger said that the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "accidental". | |
| Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, in Western Australia, Mr Ledger said that his son had been a "down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual". | |
| "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him." | |
| The 28-year-old was found dead in the flat at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday. | |
| Split | |
| New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered surrounded by pills. | |
| "We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," police spokesman Paul Browne told Reuters news agency. "There were pills within the vicinity of the bed." | "We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," police spokesman Paul Browne told Reuters news agency. "There were pills within the vicinity of the bed." |
| He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss Mel Gibson Obituary: Heath Ledger | He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss Mel Gibson Obituary: Heath Ledger |
| The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the exact cause of death was still being investigated, but suicide has not been ruled out. | The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the exact cause of death was still being investigated, but suicide has not been ruled out. |
| Police, journalists and crowds of fans are outside the Broome Street apartment in the fashionable SoHo area. | Police, journalists and crowds of fans are outside the Broome Street apartment in the fashionable SoHo area. |
| Investigators said Ledger had been due to have a massage at the flat. | Investigators said Ledger had been due to have a massage at the flat. |
| Police officers removed Ledger's body from the New York flat | Police officers removed Ledger's body from the New York flat |
| The housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived and found him dead on Tuesday afternoon. | The housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived and found him dead on Tuesday afternoon. |
| The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday. | The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday. |
| In September the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda. | In September the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda. |
| Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. | Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. |
| Hollywood mourning | Hollywood mourning |
| Hollywood's hierarchy were quick to offer their tributes and mourn Ledger's death. | Hollywood's hierarchy were quick to offer their tributes and mourn Ledger's death. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYTerrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movieMark, HoustonSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYTerrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movieMark, HoustonSend us your comments |
| "I had such great hope for him," said Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss." | "I had such great hope for him," said Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss." |
| In 2001, Mr Gibson had cast Ledger to play his son in the American war of independence epic, The Patriot. | In 2001, Mr Gibson had cast Ledger to play his son in the American war of independence epic, The Patriot. |
| "What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family," said fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman. | "What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family," said fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman. |
| American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers. | American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers. |
| "His abilities are rare...it's a tremendous loss," said Mr Travolta. | "His abilities are rare...it's a tremendous loss," said Mr Travolta. |
| Brokeback breakthrough | Brokeback breakthrough |
| Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle Williams | Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle Williams |
| Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando. | Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando. |
| He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote. | He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote. |
| Ledger starred in I'm Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan. | Ledger starred in I'm Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan. |
| He also plays the Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film, The Dark Knight. | He also plays the Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film, The Dark Knight. |
| Ledger also starred in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot, and played a suicidal son in Monster's Ball. | Ledger also starred in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot, and played a suicidal son in Monster's Ball. |