Heath Ledger is Found Dead in New York

UPDATE #5: Here is a video report from the Age from Heath Ledger’s parents in Perth.

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UPDATE #4: Here is a local New York City news report on his death:

Here is a Reuters report:

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UPDATE #3: Here is the TMZ report which is confirming the other reports:

TMZ has learned that 2006 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 — they separated in September, 2007. He plays the Joker in the upcoming Batman film, "The Dark Knight."

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.

We’re told 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.  [TMZ]

TMZ is on Fox News now and saying that there is no evidence this was a suicide and may just be a simple but tragic drug overdose. 

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UPDATE #2:  Here is what CNN is reporting:

Actor Heath Ledger is dead, the New York Police Department said Tuesday.  The Academy Award nominated actor was 27.  Ledger’s housekeeper found him dead in his Manhattan apartment, New York police said.  He died at 3:26 p.m., they said.

The New York Fire Department received a call at 2:27 today responding to a "cardiac arrest call" in New York.  They found an unresponsive male dead at the scene.  [CNN]

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UPDATE #1:  Fox News is reporting he may have died from a drug overdose:

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence in what authorities say is a possible drug-related death, the NYPD said. He was 28.

NYPD spokesman said that Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment that is believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there, and found him dead at 3:26 p.m, Browne said.

The Australian-born actor was an Oscar nominee for his role in "Brokeback Mountain" and has numerous other screen credits.  [Fox News]

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I just saw on Channel 9’s Today Show that famous Australian actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment.  The Today Show is reporting that he was found dead in his bed by his housekeeper and the police believe no foul play involved which may infer he committed suicide.  He recently broke up with his girl friend Michelle Williams who he met while filming Brokeback Mountain who he has one daughter with. 

This news just broke and amazingly his Wikipedia page has already been updated.  Oddly enough while Googling for more information I found this scene from a film Ledger was working on just last month where he hangs himself.  Very strange coincidence if he did in fact commit suicide.