Source : Time

There are no immediate answers to how Ledger died. The city’s chief medical examiner’s office was unable to ascertain the cause of death based on an autopsy performed Wednesday morning. “We did the autopsy today and it was inconclusive,” Ellen Borakove, an office spokeswoman, told TIME. Further toxicology and tissue tests were needed to determine the cause of death, she said. It will be at least ten days before results become available.

Ledger’s body was discovered Tuesday by the housekeeper, who entered the bedroom of the fourth-floor loft he was renting in order to alert him that his masseuse had arrived for a scheduled appointment. (According to the New York Post, she said that at around noon she could still hear the actor snoring in bed.) Sleeping pills were found near the 28-year old actor. The actor had told the New York Times in late 2007 that he was having trouble sleeping; he also said slipping deep into character for his roles often exacted a personal toll. TMZ.com reported that the anti-anxiety medications Xanax and Valium were found in the apartment. According to the Times, police spokesman Paul Browne acknowledged that prescription drugs and a rolled-up $20 bill were found but denied the money had narcotic residue on it, as an earlier news report had alleged. The NYPD spokesman was adamant that no narcotics were found in the apartment. Nevertheless, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the bill was being tested further because of the way it was folded.

Police suggested the cause of death could be an accidental overdose and confirmed to TIME that foul play is not suspected. In a statement given to reporters in the actor’s hometown of Perth, Australia, Ledger’s father, Kim, denied the death was a suicide, calling his son’s passing “tragic, untimely and accidental.”

Though the late actor had taken on other roles since, it was his Oscar-nominated performance as Ennis Del Mar, a sheep rancher who discovers his homosexuality in Brokeback Mountain, that mourners referred to again and again. His death was particularly poignant to gay New Yorkers. “He is a gay icon,” says John Lopez, 22, who works in a gourmet food store that Ledger frequented. “To support us, he broke a lot of taboos.” From overseas, the film’s director Ang Lee said in a statement, “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.”

Fai @ ilovelookinggood

I am indeed sadden at the passing of Heath Ledger. This past two months have indeed been a sad year, beginning with the death of Benazir Bhutto. And now, the untimely death of a respected, upcoming good actor which was starting to claim credit for the work he has done. I will never forget Heath Ledger.

I always remember him from the movie The Patriot. That was the first movie i saw him in. In my eyes, there was this young, handsome guy with a good wholesome soul acting in a touching movie. Honestly thought he will drown under Mel Gibson’s presence but yet he became one of the stars of the show. Who will ever forget his love tale and his defiance of his dad to join the army. He was saddened for his brother’s death but yet held true to his patriotism and his principle to achieve Independence of USA. In my eyes, i knew this guy would be a star in the future.

And i was indeed proved right. He went on to act in A Knight’s Tale, another one of my classic favourites of a gentleman’s tale of changing one’s destiny and the ability to achieve one’s goals. His acting always changes as he accommodates and adapts ever so easily into his new character.

Well, the crucial movie that brought him from a chocolate candy guy to a major acclaimed actor is Brokeback Mountain. I watched in the small screen in the plane back from Germany. To be honest, the show is utterly boring and FREAKY to me. I can’t handle seeing two grown men kissing so passionately with each other. The line that i shall never forget, ” Are you cold? ” . But i have to give credit to Ang Lee for having wonderful scenery scenes and catching the pure essence of their love. Also, i viewed Heath Ledger in a different light. Here is a man who is not just a good-looker. He is one that appreciates the character’s true love and gamely adopts it.

I can’t wait to catch him as the Joker in Dark Knight. I was at first going about thinking he isn’t suitable for the role. He should be crap. But, after reading how he suffered depression while filming as Joker, i can’t wait. I hope he gives due credit to a major role (the great Jack Nicholson covered it). But am sure he will do a good job.

Cheers to a brilliant actor who was troubled. May you rest in peace Heath. Have a good after life. Just sad that we will never know how great actor he could have become.

Fai @ ilovelookinggood