Heath Ledger died from accidental overdose
Story by Jack Foley
ACTOR Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs, it has been revealed by authorities in New York.
The 28-year-old Australian star was found dead in the Manhattan apartment he had been renting in January, just days after completing work on his latest film in London.
According to Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for New York’s medical examiner, Ledger died “as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects” of different drugs, including the painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax.
She added: “What you’re looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together.”
She added that traces of the painkiller ibuprofen and sleeping pills Restoril and Unisom were also found in Ledger’s blood.
Some of the prescription drugs had been found near the actor’s body when it was discovered by his masseuse after she had arrived for an appointment.
Ledger’s body has now been flown home to Australia for a private burial that is expected to take place in his home town of Perth this weekend. But there are still plans to hold a public memorial service in Los Angeles, details of which have yet to be confirmed.
Speaking in light of the examiner’s announcement, Ledger’s father, Kim, said in a statement: “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.”
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