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Accidental drug mix killed Ledger | Accidental drug mix killed Ledger |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Hollywood actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs, New York authorities have revealed. | Hollywood actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs, New York authorities have revealed. |
The Brokeback Mountain actor, 28, was found dead in January in an apartment he had been renting in Manhattan. | The Brokeback Mountain actor, 28, was found dead in January in an apartment he had been renting in Manhattan. |
The city medical examiner's spokeswoman said Ledger died "as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects" of the different drugs. | The city medical examiner's spokeswoman said Ledger died "as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects" of the different drugs. |
They include painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax. | They include painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax. |
Spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said: "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together." | Spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said: "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together." |
Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage Kim Ledger | Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage Kim Ledger |
Traces of painkiller ibuprofen and sleeping pills, Restoril and Unisom, were also found in Ledger's blood. | Traces of painkiller ibuprofen and sleeping pills, Restoril and Unisom, were also found in Ledger's blood. |
Ledger's father Kim said: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. | Ledger's father Kim said: "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." | "Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage." |
Some of the prescription drugs were found near his body when it was discovered by his masseuse after she arrived for an appointment. | Some of the prescription drugs were found near his body when it was discovered by his masseuse after she arrived for an appointment. |
Ledger's body has been flown home to Australia for a private burial - expected to take place in his home town of Perth this weekend. A public memorial service is also planned in Los Angeles. | Ledger's body has been flown home to Australia for a private burial - expected to take place in his home town of Perth this weekend. A public memorial service is also planned in Los Angeles. |
Film suspended | Film suspended |
Last week, his former partner Michelle Williams spoke publicly for the first time since the star's death, saying: "My heart is broken." | Last week, his former partner Michelle Williams spoke publicly for the first time since the star's death, saying: "My heart is broken." |
The pair met on the set of Brokeback Mountain, in which Williams played Ledger's wife. | |
Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain earned him an Oscar nod | Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain earned him an Oscar nod |
The couple, who had a daughter Matilda, now two, split up last September. | The couple, who had a daughter Matilda, now two, split up last September. |
The makers of Ledger's most recent film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - directed by Terry Gilliam - have suspended production. | The makers of Ledger's most recent film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - directed by Terry Gilliam - have suspended production. |
Ledger had completed filming in London just before his death. | Ledger had completed filming in London just before his death. |
The star also plays The Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film The Dark Knight. | The star also plays The Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film The Dark Knight. |
Also last week, US TV shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider pulled a video they had planned to show of Ledger at a Hollywood party saying he used to smoke cannabis. | Also last week, US TV shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider pulled a video they had planned to show of Ledger at a Hollywood party saying he used to smoke cannabis. |
The star is apparently heard saying he "used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years". | The star is apparently heard saying he "used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years". |
The shows released a statement saying the footage, believed to be have been recorded in January 2006, would not be shown. | The shows released a statement saying the footage, believed to be have been recorded in January 2006, would not be shown. |