Heath Ledger Found Dead in New York Apartment

FOLLOWING IS A N-Y-P-D NEWS RELEASE ON TODAY'S SITUATION INVOLVING HEATH LEDGER:

ON TUESDAY, 01/22/08, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 HOURS, IN THE CONFINES OF THE 5 PRECINCT, POLICE RESPONDED TO 421 BROOME STREET AND FOUND A M/W/28 UNCONSCIOUS. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DOA AT THE SCENE. M.E.'S OFFICE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

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Ledger was born in 1979 in Perth, Australia to a mining engineer and a French teacher, and got his first acting role playing Peter Pan at age 10 at a local theater company. He began acting in independent films at the age of 16 in Sydney and played a cyclist hoping to land a spot on an Olympic team in a 1996 television show, “Seat.”

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It has not been determined if this was a suicide or an accidental death.

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Mel Gibson, who co-starred with Ledger "The Patriot," said in a statement to FOXNews.com: "I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

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Ledger was found by his housekeeper, who was trying to let him know that a masseuse had arrived for an appointment, police said.

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Police sources said investigators found two bottles of sleeping pills at the apartment -- one prescription, one over the counter.

The New York City Medical Examiner's Office said it will be conducting the autopsy and the results won't be known until Wednesday. NYPD spokesman Browne said there was no obvious indication of suicide.

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Not only was Heath a wonderful young actor, he also had a beautiful daughter, Matilda Rose who was born on October 28, 2005. Ledger was 28 years old.

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More updates to follow. . . .