THE family of late Australian actor Heath Ledger have described his death as an accident.

Speaking from their home in Perth just hours after their son’s body was found in a New York apartment, his father Kim said: “We, Heath’s family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda.”

Ledger’s body was found dead at his home in Manhattan on Tuesday (January 22, 2008). Pills were found nearby.

But while New York police are investigating whether the star died of an overdose of prescription pills, his father has maintained that the death was a tragic accident.

In a statement issued for the press, Kim asked that the family be left alone by the press to grieve in private, adding: ““We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time.

“Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.”

News of Ledger’s death has rocked his friends and colleagues in Hollywood.

Fans have already left messages of support and flowers outside the SoHo apartment where his body was found, while friends and neighbours have left flowers and cards outside the house of Ledger’s family home in Perth.

Among the first to pay tribute to his memory was former co-star Mel Gibson, who has Ledger to play his son in historical action drama The Patriot in 2001.

He told reporters: “I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss.”

John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger’s death, described the 28-year-old as one of his favourite performers, adding: “His abilities are rare… it’s a tremendous loss.”

And fellow Australian Nicole Kidman described the news as “a terrible tragedy”, adding that her heart goes out to his family.

Evidence of Ledger’s massive talent was apparent when he won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain – but he was pipped to the award by Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role in Capote.

Lee, himself, said that working with Ledger had been one of the “purest joys” of his life, adding: “He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined – a thirst for life, for love, and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking.”

Since Brokeback Mountain, Ledger has starred in I’m Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan, and has already begun to win over fans as The Joker in the yet-to-be-released Batman sequel, The Dark Knight.

His Batman co-star, Sir Michael Caine, has described his performance as incredble, stating: “Heath Ledger plays The Joker and he’s fantastic. I couldn’t see how Jack could be topped but he’s at least equal to him. It’s extraordinary.”

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