News: Heath Ledger Dead

Heath Ledger found dead in NY apartment...

Australia and the world are in a state of shock today after news broke of the untimely death of actor, Heath Ledger.

Reports are still sketchy, but it is believed that Ledger, 28, was found dead at what was originally reported to be the residence of Mary-Kate Olsen in Broome St, SoHo, by the residence's housekeeper and a masseuse at 3.31pm local time (7.31am AEDT).

The New York Times has reported that the masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A, at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, for an appointment with Ledger. The masseuse was "then let in to the home by a housekeeper, who knocked on the bedroom door Ledger was in". When no one answered, the door was opened, revealing Ledger "naked and unconscious on a bed, with pills scattered around his body". Attempts were apparently made to revive him, but there was no response.

Paramedics at the scene found the actor in full cardiac arrest, and unsuccessfully attempted to perform CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have stated they did not suspect foul play, with officials believing Olsen (most well known for her role in the 90s sitcom Full House), 21, was in California at the time and it is not clear at this time how long or why Ledger had been in her apartment. Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s deputy commissioner for public information, initially said that the apartment was owned by the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, but later reversed himself and said that was not the case. The building at 421 Broome Street was sold in 1999 by Ho Hwa Properties Inc. to Red Tulip, L.L.C. Calls to a phone number listed for Junia Hissa Neiva, a Brazilian painter who is listed as an owner of Red Tulip and of the building were not answered.

Heath Ledger is one of Australia's most impressive exports of the last decade, with many comparing him to the like of Mel Gibson. The Perth born actor began his career on the short lived Aussie drama Sweat in which Ledger played a gay cyclist. Since those humble beginnings, Heath has gone onto become one of the the hottest commodities in Hollywood today.

In 2005 he won acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his role in Brokeback Mountain, with the performance being described by a New York Times critic "as good as the best of Marlon Brando and Sean Penn”. The star of 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight’s Tale and Candy was on the verge of a career boom, with critically praised performances in the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There - and his much anticipated role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Ledger has been reported to been rather publicly seen partying and dating a slew of Hollywood hotties after the recent split with wife, actress Michelle Williams, whom he met while filming Brokeback Mountain. The two actors have a daughter, Matilda Rose, who was born on Oct. 28, 2005.

An autopsy is to be conducted on Wednesday.

Ledger's career was set to explode with his role in The Dark Knight (left). The last known photo of Ledger (right) shows a weary traveler.
(Above) The apartment complex where Ledger was found

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