People News
Heath Ledger's autopsy investigation
Feb 7, 2008, 13:35 GMT
Australian actor Heath Ledger EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI
Heath Ledger's autopsy results have sparked a police drugs investigation.
The autopsy revealed the 'Brokeback Mountain' actor - who was found dead in his New York apartment on January 22 - died of an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
Now the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the federal government want to know how he could obtain so many different legal substances.
New York's Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Erin Mulvey said: "We are working with the NYPD to identify any illegally prescribed drugs that may have been prescribed to Ledger."
Yesterday (06.02.08), Ellen Borakove, spokesperson for the medical examiner's office, revealed: "Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine. We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."
An initial autopsy, conducted just days after the actor's death, was deemed inconclusive.
The NYPD found six different medications in Ledger's apartment -including anti-anxiety medications Alprazolam (also known as Xanax), Diazepam (Valium) and Lorazepam (Ativan).
Ledger's father Kim said the autopsy results helped put to rest rumours surrounding the star's death and hoped it would serve as a warning to prescription drug users.
He said: "These results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts. We have learned 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."
(C) BANG Media International
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Although he was rich and famous, we all have our problems. My heart goes out to Heath and his family.
I have a chronic pain condition and take huge doses of morphine and zanaflex and norco-most people would die at the dose I take. The point is that some people need hefty medications to lead a normal life. When someone dies from abusing them it causes MD's to stop writing needed perscriptions for people in real pain. Not emotional pain brought about of insecurities and fame. I beg MD's not to quit considering the use of these meds to help people who do need them.
Some people have no respect at all. You have no idea who Heath Ledger was or what his intentions were. You should be ashamed of yourself for disrespecting his name, and disrespecting him as a person. You can¡¯t just label him as ¡®just another celebrity¡¦who did this and that¡¯ Heath Ledger was an actual human being, just like you, just like me, just like everyone else in the world! Yet he was incredibly special as he had so much talent and which we were lucky enough to witness. I appreciate his work so much as he has been able to move and touch me in all his films. He was able to play many different roles and played them so effectively and perfectly. My many sorrows go out to his family, Michelle Williams and their daughter Madison and his close friends. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you Heath Ledger for touching and inspiring us all.
Very nice site!
Very nice site!
page: 1
pudentaneFeb 7th, 2008 - 14:55:31
Just another spoiled celebrity who couldn't get enough buzz out of being rich and famous, so he went looking for it at the doctors office.
He's got enough now!
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