Heath Ledger found dead

Jan 23, 2008, 0:30 GMT

Police investigators remove the body of Australian actor Heath Ledger from his New York City SOHO apartment building 22 January 2008. Australian-born Ledger, 28, attempted suicide last September shortly after his split from actress Michelle Williams, with whom he fathered a daughter. Police said Ledger\'s body was found by his housekeeper Tuesday afternoon when a masseuse arrived to give him a massage. According to the report, foul play is not suspected and police found a bottle of pills near his body, the report said. EPA/JASON SZENES

Heath Ledger has been found dead from a suspected drugs overdose.

The 28-year-old Australian actor was discovered face down on the bedroom floor of a New York apartment by a housekeeper at 3.35pm on Tuesday (22.01.08).

Police have revealed that prescription drugs were found scattered around his body and the bed, although no cause of death can be determined until a full medical examination has been carried out.

According to police reports a masseuse arrived at the property, located on Broome Street in Soho, and was let in by a housekeeper. After Ledger failed to open his bedroom door, the masseuse and the cleaner went into the room where they found him passed out and immediately called the emergency services.

Paramedics rushed to the building where they attempted to revive the star who was in full cardiac arrest.

After unsuccessfully performing CPR on him, Ledger was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police spokesperson said: "He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead."

Reports claim the apartment was either owned by Ledger or actress Mary Kate Olsen.

The actor was previously engaged to actress Michelle Williams, who he met on the set of 'Brokeback Mountain'. The pair had a two-year-old daughter Matilda together.

Ledger - who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the controversial cowboy drama - recently finished shooting the latest Batman movie 'The Dark Knight', in which he plays The Joker.

He was widely considered to be one of Hollywood's best young actors and has starred in several critically acclaimed movies, including 'Monster's Ball', 'The Patriot' and 'I'm Not There'.

An autopsy is due to be carried out on Wednesday (23.01.08).

(C) BANG Media International