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Mourners say farewell to Ledger | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
International film stars and close relatives were among the mourners at a memorial service for Australian actor Heath Ledger in his hometown of Perth. | |
The actor will be buried at a private ceremony for close family only. | |
The 28-year-old star of Brokeback Mountain died of an accidental drugs overdose last month in New York. | The 28-year-old star of Brokeback Mountain died of an accidental drugs overdose last month in New York. |
His father, Kim Ledger, told reporters in the Western Australian capital that the family wanted to be allowed to grieve alone. | |
"We're finding it pretty difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone with everyone else around the world," he said. | |
About 500 people attended the memorial service at Penrhos College in the Perth suburb of Como. | |
Didgeridoo tribute | |
A wake is planned at the city's Cottesloe Beach, which was one of Ledger's favourite places, the West Australian newspaper reports. | A wake is planned at the city's Cottesloe Beach, which was one of Ledger's favourite places, the West Australian newspaper reports. |
Actors Cate Blanchett and Bryan Brown were among the mourners | |
A memorial service was held in Los Angeles last weekend. | A memorial service was held in Los Angeles last weekend. |
"The funeral service will be very, very private and there will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," Mr Ledger said. | "The funeral service will be very, very private and there will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," Mr Ledger said. |
One of the first to arrive for at Penrhos College was Gemma Ward, Ledger's former girlfriend. | One of the first to arrive for at Penrhos College was Gemma Ward, Ledger's former girlfriend. |
Also there was his ex-fiance, Michelle Williams, mother of his two-year-old daughter Matilda. | |
Other actors attending the memorial service included Cate Blanchett and Bryan Brown. | |
Local musician Levi Islam told reporters outside that he opened the service by playing an ancient Aboriginal tune on a didgeridoo. | |
'Cumulative effect' | |
On Wednesday, the New York City medical examiner ruled that Ledger died from the combined effect of six different prescription drugs. | On Wednesday, the New York City medical examiner ruled that Ledger died from the combined effect of six different prescription drugs. |
They include painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax. | They include painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax. |
Traces of painkiller Ibuprofen and the sleeping pills Restoril and Unisom were also found in Ledger's blood. | Traces of painkiller Ibuprofen and the sleeping pills Restoril and Unisom were also found in Ledger's blood. |
Kim Ledger said: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy." | Kim Ledger said: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy." |