"Mr Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the statement said. "We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications." The Brokeback Mountain star, who was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on January 22, had six prescription drugs in his system, including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills. Oxycodone is a pain medication, hydrocodone is a cough suppressant, diazepam is commonly called Valium, temazepam treats anxiety or sleeplessness, alprazolam is known as Xanax, and doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine. Ledger's family released a statement through the actor's Hollywood agency only minutes after the Medical Examiner's findings were made public. Speaking on behalf of Ledger's family, his father Kim said he hoped his son's death would act as a warning to others. "Today's results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts," he said. "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. "Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage." Mr Ledger said the family were struggling to come to terms with the loss. "We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child," he said. "Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Mr Ledger said the family took great joy from their final memories of the actor during his recent holiday in Perth. "Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year - those recent precious days will stay with us forever," he said. "We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. "To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. "We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend." Mr Ledger, who made special mention of his son's two-year-old daughter Matilda and former partner Michelle Williams, said the family had been overwhelmed by support from around the globe over the past fortnight. "We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda - to our dear Michelle - as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world," he said. "Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. "This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. "We are eternally grateful." As the family prepare to bury Ledger in his hometown of Perth, his father asked that for private from the international media. "At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography," he said. Williams, 27, and Matilda arrived in Perth yesterday afternoon local time for Ledger's funeral. The actress, who was wearing a black dress and black sunglasses, held Matilda in her arms as they exited the plane under heavy security. Matilda clung to a stuffed rabbit as more than five police officers and airport security escorted them into an elevator. Williams's arrival comes one day after Ledger's father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate all returned home from the US, where they attended two memorial services in Los Angeles. From the airport, Williams and Matilda headed to Heath's mother's house in the riverside suburb of Applecross. Soon afterward, guests began dropping by to pay their respects. One woman delivered a bouquet of flowers and Kim Ledger's wife Ines dropped off a covered casserole dish. A private funeral for the actor is expected to take place on Saturday. Although Williams and Ledger - who met while filming Brokeback Mountain - split last September, the two remained bonded by love for their daughter. In a statement released on Saturday, the actress broke her silence and said she was devastated by his death, noting that his spirit lived on in their daughter. "My heart is broken," she said. "I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father - all that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. "His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals and takes steps two at a time - and we know that he is with us still. "She will be brought up in the best memories of him." Top of Page |