Accidental Death: The Verdict on Heath Ledger
More than two weeks after the sudden and sad death of Heath Ledger the New York Medical Examiner’s office has released the following statement, “Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine,” the office said in a statement.
“We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications.”
Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead in bed at his Manhattan apartment on January 22nd 2008 after his housekeeer could not raise him for an appointment he had make for 3.30 pm that day.
Heath’s career had seen him achieving much in his 28 years, a rising star in Hollywood, a father, a partner and man respected and adored by other actors and fans alike.
Heath received an Oscar nomination for the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain and had completed filming his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight, a Batman film due out this year which saw Heath taking the role from Jack Nicholson and starring alongside Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the sister of his co star in Brokeback Mountain, Jake Gyllenhaal.
Other film credits included The Patriot in 2000 in which he starred as Mel Gibson’s son Monster’s Ball in 2001 and I’m Not There in 2007.
With the results from the examiner’s office it is now only fitting that the speculation and rumours surrounding Heath’e death should be laid to rest along with his memory.
ABB