Actor Heath Ledger, 28, Found Dead, Possible Suicide
This is just really horrifyingly awful. Popular actor, and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been found dead in his Soho, NY apartment. MSNBC is reporting:
A New York Police Department spokesman says the actor Heath Ledger has been found dead at a downtown Manhattan residence.
According to TMZ.com, Ledger, 28, was found dead in his bed in one of his residences in Soho by his housekeeper at 3:35 p.m. ET Tuesday.The actor has a two-year-old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams. Ledger was set to play the Joker in the upcoming Batman film “The Dark Knight.” He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in “Brokeback Mountain.”
Additional information on Heath’s death is being reported by NY Times:
At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home 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 did not suspect foul play. Officials said pills fear found near the body.
Heath, who won critical acclaim for his role as a bi-sexual cowboy in the widely praised hit film Brokeback Mountain met his ex-fiance, Michelle Williams, who’s the mother of his two-year old daughter, Matilda Rose, while filming that movie. Heath and Michelle have been separated since last year. Heath’s most recent finished project was playing the Joker in the new Batman film, The Dark Knight. Ledger was currently working on the new Terry Gilliam film in London,”The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” which is set to be released next year.
No confirmed cause has been given for how or why Heath died. But based on reports, and recent stories about Heath in the tabloids he may have been suffering from some sort of depression over his split back in the fall from Michelle Williams.
Very, very sad. RIP Heath.
Update: TMZ has been updating on this story and here’s what we know so far:
*Heath’s body was found face down on a bedroom floor of his apartment and there were no visible signs of trauma.
*Heath had a history of substance abuse problems, but was reportedly clean in the last year.
*Prescription sleeping pills were strewn all over the bed in the room Heath was found.
*Contrary to earlier reports, Heath was NOT at Mary Kate Olsen’s apartment.
*An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow, and law enforcement are not ready to say whether Heath’s death was an accidental overdose, or a suicide.
We’ll keep you posted as further details emerge.
I will be joining Shaun Daily on BlogTalkRadio’s BTR Today show in 20 minutes or so and will definitely be discussing this terrible news. If you wish to listen or call in with question - click here.
Update 2: Heath Ledger was suffering from pneumonia at the time of his death, further complicating the events which may have lead to his passing. He was NOT found on the floor, but rather in his bed naked. He was placed on the floor by emergency workers and reports are stating he had been gone for a while before his body was found.
His family has also taken greats pains in emphasizing he DID NOTkill himself, as he’s “not that kind of person.” His ex, Michelle Williams is said to be “devastated” by the news of Heath’s death. We will certainly be hearing more from those who knew him over the next few days. I pray for the sake of his family, his death is found to be accidental.
I am just really stricken. His poor little Matilda, no one should loose their daddy at such a young age.
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This is so horrible. A suicide? Why? This guy had it all. If he was depressed, I can’t or don’t understand what depression is. We’ve all been depressed before, but I guess I have no idea what it really means–what it really means to be depressed…
Comment by Matt — January 22, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Sometimes Matt, having material things doesn’t necessarily mean you have happiness. For most of us, having a extra hundred thousand dollars would sure relieve a lot of stress. So when we think about these famed millionaire playboy types being depressed, it is tough. However, depression can stem from many different forms, and some claim, even be passed genetically. Having money, also enables people to certain lifestyles that also may help induce depression. In the end, we may not ever know what exactly caused this suicide, if that is what it truly is, and it really is a sad day, since Heath was such a talented, and still very youthful soul. My condolences.
Comment by Ken L. — January 22, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Very sad. Just very, very sad. My heart goes out to his family and his beautiful daughter.
And yes, depression doesn’t necessarily have to come from life circumstances. It can be genetic as well. Just because one seems to have it all, doesn’t mean they do. It’s what is inside, not the outside or what one has or doesn’t have.
TMZ is now saying that police told them his death was accidental. It could be so. Sad either way.
Comment by k — January 22, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
wow. he is so cute y. would he kill himself like thet?he has the cutest little baby ever. i am a big fan of him. and i really wish he was still alive
Alex
Comment by Alex — January 22, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
That is so terrible. I saw him in Brokeback Mt. recently and really embraced him a a man of extreme talent; Even though I know very little about him, I certainly am sorry that the world had lost such a gifted, young individual. Just for the family of any one who has experienced a death: The only thing you can do is to resvolve his death in your own mind and move on. Also, you must realize this isn’t your fault. You’ll regret a lot of things, like I did when my grandma died, but you can’t let your remorse and guilt eat at you like I did. It’s not fair to yourself.
Comment by Elyse — January 22, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
So Sad.
It may be accidental !!
Rumours are very painful at a time like this.
Comment by Helen — January 22, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Comment by EBayer — January 22, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Very sad, indeed. Well done on the radio tonight, Dawn.
Comment by Josh — January 22, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
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