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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.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 "tragic" and "accidental".Father Kim Ledger said that the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "tragic" and "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".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.""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.The 28-year-old was found dead in the flat at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday.
SplitSplit
New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered surrounded by pills. New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered with prescription pills nearby.
"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 LedgerHe 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 His family said Heath was "generous" and "life-loving"
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 mourningHollywood 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 commentsHAVE 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 breakthroughBrokeback breakthrough
Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle WilliamsLedger 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.