NEW YORK - Six different types of prescription drugs were found in Heath Ledger's apartment -- including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills -- though the cause of his death won't be known for several days after a preliminary autopsy Wednesday came back inconclusive, authorities said.
A rolled-up $20 bill was also found on the floor near the Australian actor's bed but lab tests detected no traces of drug residue. Police also said no illegal drugs were found in the apartment.
Among the prescription medications found were pills to treat insomnia and anxiety and an antihistamine, said two law-enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Three of the drugs were prescribed in Europe, the sources said. Ledger had recently been filming in London.
The $20 bill was found on the floor near Ledger's bed and New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said lab tests found nothing to indicate it had been used to snort drugs.
The Australian-born actor was found dead Tuesday by his housekeeper and a massage therapist -- lying naked and face-down on his bed, police said. The pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom and police said the death was caused by a possible drug overdose and appeared to be accidental.
- Star! will be airing a special regarding the sudden death of Heath Ledger. "Broken Promise: The Tragic Death of Heath Ledger," airs Friday, January 25 at 9 p.m. ET on Star! Featuring expert medical opinion from Dr. Marla Shapiro, commentary from eTalk's Elaine 'Lainey' Lui and celebrity reactions from Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Stanley Tucci and more.
Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said the autopsy on the 28-year-old actor was inconclusive and more would be known in about 10 days, when more tests were completed.
Police said Ledger probably died Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. At 1 p.m., the housekeeper went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.
At 2:45 p.m., the massage therapist showed up for Ledger's appointment, knocked on his door and got no answer. She later noticed Ledger was unconscious and called actress Mary-Kate Olsen, whose number was programmed into Ledger's cellphone, to seek advice.
Olsen said she would send over her private security. In the ensuing moments, the massage therapist realized Ledger might be dead, called Olsen again, then called 911. Paramedics -- and Olsen's security people -- arrived minutes later.
News of the death stunned relatives, fans and colleagues.
"Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life," said Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain."
"He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined - a thirst for life, for love and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking."
Lee Daniels, who produced the critically acclaimed "Monster's Ball," in which Ledger starred, strongly disputed any notion Ledger had a drug problem.
"The definition of substance abuse is really up to one's perspective," Daniels said.
"I didn't see him as a drug addict. I saw him as someone who enjoyed life."
"I know drug addicts; he was not a drug addict."
He said he saw Ledger a couple months ago and he was in great spirits.
"He was in a good mood, he was in a great place...he was excited about living in New York."
Before moving to Manhattan, Ledger lived in Brooklyn with then-girlfriend Michelle Williams in a four-storey, sage-green brownstone with a black wrought-iron fence. Yellow tulips with red stripes were among the bouquets left by well-wishers Wednesday.
At the Brawta Caribbean Cafe two blocks from the residence, owner Jennifer Ewers said Ledger was a frequent guest who always ordered jerk chicken, rice and beans and sorrel.
"He was a perfect gentleman. He comes in here with his hoodie on, reads a book, and gives you a peace sign," she said.
"He was always with his daughter, playing hide-and-seek among the plants, or on his skateboard, peeking his head in."
Fans left flowers and candles Wednesday outside Ledger's apartment in the tony SoHo neighbourhood of Manhattan on Wednesday. Khaled Ali, 41, a stage manager for a Broadway show, dropped off a candle on his way to work, saying he and fellow cast members were devastated.
"I felt a connection with him as an actor, as a fellow in the theatre community," he said. "With 'Brokeback Mountain' he touched me personally in telling the story of my community. It was very touching."
Ledger was known for gruelling, intense roles that became his trademark after he got his start in teen movies like "10 Things I Hate About You." Thereafter, he avoided the easy path in favour of roles that forced him to bury his Australian accent and downplay his leading-man looks: the tormented gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain"; a drug addict in "Candy"; an incarnation of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."
Playing the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie "The Dark Knight" may be his final finished performance.
Ledger split last year from Williams, who played his wife in "Brokeback." The two had a daughter, the now two-year-old Matilda. Wednesday evening, Williams and Matilda returned to Brooklyn from Trollhattan, Sweden, where the 27-year-old actress had been shooting scenes for the film "Mammoth," said Martin Stromberg, a spokesman for film production company Memfis Film.
"She received the news at her hotel late last night," Stromberg said, adding he had not spoken with the actress after she learned of Ledger's death.
A day after Ledger's death, at least six TV satellite trucks were parked on the block or around the corner from his Manhattan apartment, with a stream of TV reporters doing their standups. There were bouquets, letters and candles piled in front of the building.
A handwritten letter on plain white paper anchored by votive candles read: "Heath, how could anyone hate 10 things about you. We couldn't find one bad thing about you. God bless your soul, you're in our prayers."
What do you think? Does this new info make you think differently about Ledger's tragic death?
