TMZ has learned that Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has died in NY.
He was found dead in his bed in one of his residences in Soho by his housekeeper at 3:35 PM ET today. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime.
The 28-year-old actor has a two year old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams. He was set to play the Joker in the upcoming Batman film “The Dark Knight.”
TMZ
These two pictures were taken just this last Friday - on the 18th - on the set of his new film, ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ in London, England.
UPDATE #1: The NY Times is reporting a masseuse arrived at his apartment and was let in the door by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they found pills near body.
UPDATE #2: When paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
UPDATE #3: Law enforcement tells TMZ Ledger’s body was found face down on the bedroom floor. There is no visible signs of any trauma. Prescription pills were strewn around Heath Ledger’s bed. The cops are waiting for the Medical Examiner. Law enforcement tells TMZ Heath Ledger’s autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.
UPDATE #4: Talk about RANDOM, TMZ has learned that Heath Ledger was found dead at an apartment owned by Mary-Kate Olsen. Weird?!
UPDATE #5: Okay, I take it back. It was NOT Mary-Kate’s apartment.
UPDATE #6: Cops tell TMZ Heath Ledger’s death was accidental.
UPDATE #7: Heath Ledger had a substance abuse problem. A Ledger confidante tells us he had been clean for a year. Contrary to several published reports, we’re told Ledger had not been in rehab.
UPDATE #8: Law enforcement sources tell TMZ sleeping pills were strewn around the bed of Heath Ledger. One law enforcement source told us it is much too early to determine if the death was accidental or suicide.
UPDATE #9: I’ve added some pictures of Heath throughout the last couple years below. You can also go through past Heath articles and posts here.
UPDATE #10: Heath Ledger’s body has just been removed from the Soho building where he was found dead. It was carried out in a black body bag and put in the back of the City of New York Medical Examiner’s truck.
UPDATE #11: Alan Horn, President and COO of Warner Bros. and Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group have issued the following statement to TMZ. The studio is producing the next Batman film, “The Dark Knight.”
“The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
UPDATE #12 (5:OOPST): TMZ has learned Heath Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died today in NY. TMZ has been contacted by a rep from Heath’s family. The cops told the family Heath’s death was accidental and there is no evidence to support the buzz that he may have committed suicide.
They are particularly distraught over media reports that he may have taken his own life. The family says he was not that kind of person.
UPDATE #13 (5:00PST): There are reports circulating that Heath Ledger was found on the floor — not exactly the case.
As we first reported, Ledger was found naked on his bed. We’re told emergency workers put him on the floor in an attempt to resuscitate him.
A police official says there were pill bottles scattered around the apartment.
UPDATE #14 (5:00PST): Michelle Williams is “devastated” by the death of her former fiance, Heath Ledger.
We’re told that “words cannot describe” the pain she is in over the news about the father of her child, Matilda Rose.
We’re told she is on a plane heading to NY right now.
UPDATE #15 (5:05PST): Picture of Heath Ledger being wheeled out of the apartment where he was found dead this afternoon. (Via Splash)
UPDATE #16 (5:17PST):
Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the New York Police Department, held a press conference on Heath Ledger Tuesday night.
He confirmed the following:
• The deceased was discovered by a masseuse and a housekeeper at approximately 2:45 p.m. today.
• The masseuse was there for a regular appointment.
• The deceased was found in his bedroom.
• The deceased was lying on the floor, curled up, at the foot of his bed.
• The deceased was naked and face down.
• There were not pills found scattered around the room as had been previously reported.
• There were some prescription bottles, including prescription sleeping medication, uncovered.
• Police do not know how long the deceased had been in the apartment.
• The deceased was renting the apartment.
• The cause of death has not yet been determined. The determination will be made by the medical examiners office.
UPDATE #17 (5:20PST): His role as the Joker was so troubling and demonic to him that he had trouble sleeping at night. “physically and mentally draining”, “i took one ambien and it didnt work. i took a second and i fell asleep only to wake up an hour later.” Rough quote from an interview about being the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie.
UPDATE #18 (5:40PST): The Olsen twins’ connection to Heath Ledger’s apartment is now clear.
Here’s the way it went down. A cleaning lady for Heath arrived at the apartment first, followed soon thereafter by a masseuse. They both entered the room at around the same time and discovered Heath’s lifeless body.
The cleaning lady called police. The masseuse, we’re told, called the bodyguard for the Olsens. She called him because they’re friends and he’s an EMT. The bodyguard was around the block at Ashley’s and he immediately went over. By the time he arrived, the cops were already there.
We’re also told it appeared Heath “had been dead for a while” and there were no visible signs of trauma. There was a pill bottle on the nightstand.
RIP Heath, this is terrible, tragic news. I’m so sad about this one. I just didn’t see it coming! I just can’t get over it. I hope it was an accident, and he didn’t intend to kill himself. He was so incredibly talented.
