And The Autopsy Reveals….

Filed under: Australiastic > Heath Ledger

The results of Wednesday's autopsy did not immediately determine a cause of death, the medical examiner in New York has revealed.

We will have to wait until the toxicology reports come in (a few weeks from now) to determine the exact cause of Heath Ledger's untimely passing.

[Image via WENN.]

Posted: Jan 23, 2008 at 12:46 pm / Email this »

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103 comments to “And The Autopsy Reveals….”

More comments: [1] 2 »

elaine says – reply to this

1

rip heath xxx
Bippie says – reply to this

2

5th!
Sam says – reply to this

3

Any word on funeral arrangements? And where is Michelle?
twiggy twink says – reply to this

4

this is so awful. I hope you rest in peace, young gentleman.
Ja says – reply to this

5

I had a feeling that this would drag on
Me says – reply to this

6

RIP.
carry says – reply to this

7

took you long enough to post it. No one should assume anything about the cause of his death. Maybe it was an overdose, but you can go into almost house and find some kind of prescription drugs. Even if he did die of an overdose, he should be remembered for the work he did, not the way he died.
twiggy twink says – reply to this

8

sorry this is so awful. may you rest in peace, young gentleman.
heather says – reply to this

9

Re: & – why does perez have no class? bc he is reporting what everyone is checking here 100 times an hour to see if there is any updates? get a life dude! perez you rock!
who cares says – reply to this

10

I'M GLAD THAT LOSER IS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cocksucker perez says – reply to this

11

PEREZ IS A PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!PEREZ IS A FAT PIECE OF SHIT FAG!
carry says – reply to this

12

Michelle was reported by Eonline to be filming in Sweden at the time of his death. Don't know if E is 100% accurate.
Pogue Mahone says – reply to this

13

I still think it was an accidental overdose, esp. as there have been reports he had trouble sleeping, and besides, who tries to purposely kill themselves just before they had an app't?(he was expecting the massuese).I think he accidently took too many pills, perhaps forgetting when he last took a dose, or else combined pills that had a bad interaction….he had a few films upcoming; it's not like his career was bad; I say it was just a tragic accident.it's sad.I hope he's at peace.
shel says – reply to this

14

Get a grip folks. Perez is a gossip/celeb blogger, not the Ledger family spokesman.
JUDY says – reply to this

15

THIS IS SOOOOOOO SAD!
I CANT BELIEVE IT!

THIS IS SOOOOOOO SAD!
I CANT BELIEVE IT!

THIS IS SOOOOOOO SAD!
I CANT BELIEVE IT!
meredith says – reply to this

16

he's gorgeous. and a talented actor. my condolences. RIP!!
Ana says – reply to this

17

I cant belive it. He is really dead. They have cut in his body. Bring him back.
QueenBee says – reply to this

18

This is just so sad, I can't stop thinking about it. Many yeras ago I was on sleeping pills (Ambien) and sometimes they would not exactly work, but instead make me have hallucinations and often times i would get up and start popping more pills because i was so confused and just thinking that i wanted to sleep and not think or hallucinate…. one time i took so many (not really knowing what i I was doing) that i ended up at the ER having my stomach pumped… it was awful.
I truly believe in my heart that in the case of Heath, it was an accident….. he was a lovely person with a bright future and a beautiful daughter.

May he rest in peace …. and let us all be kind to his soul and his family at this time
WORLD GONE MAD says – reply to this

19

Nice pic
RIP
Boyuyy says – reply to this

20

FIRST
allison says – reply to this

21

I am so sad. This is so sad. My god, that little girl will grow up without her dad. Oh my god. That is sooooo sadd!
mimi says – reply to this

22

Overdose….
too much heroin , followed by sleeping pill and valium
kristi says – reply to this

23

I was shocked when I heard yesterday.
kevin says – reply to this

24

Yeah that is pretty low. U fat ass loser. have respect for something. Ur type reason the world isnt as cool as it could be
Randi says – reply to this

25

Well thats pretty obivious…..

Its too sad.
samc says – reply to this

26

Its not a fucking game show, Perez
Have some damn respect!
Disappointed says – reply to this

27

So much for the pneumonia angle. What a shame.
Gemz says – reply to this

28

how does that show no class??? he's just stating information
Christopher says – reply to this

29

Darn
kate says – reply to this

30

let's try to report this death with some dignity.
asf says – reply to this

31

hes hott
WORLD GONE MAD says – reply to this

32

What, there were no Scientologists around to save him? Guess they shoulda been there instead of the EMTs
Sunnie says – reply to this

33

So PLEASE stop speculating that it was drugs until an official report has been released. It's disrespectful to Heath, his family, and his TWO YEAR OLD little girl. Have some shred of decency Perez.
sara p says – reply to this

34

so sad! he didnt deserve this!
Sad says – reply to this

35

He looks amazing in this photo. It's hard to believe he's gone.
Diana :o) says – reply to this

36

R.I.P. Heath…
monicak says – reply to this

37

watching Candy (2006) in honor of Heath's passing…I didn't realize what a great actor he was. This is a great movie, and he did a great job! What a shame he's gone.
jenniferpet says – reply to this

38

soooo sad. i am so sad.
josie says – reply to this

39

oh man i loved this guy!
A Knights Tale was like my favorite movie=(
allison says – reply to this

40

Re: who cares – Get off of this site NOW!!! How dare you insult the dead! Why are you here if you dont care?
evil says – reply to this

41

Freemasons killed him.

Brokeback Mountain = broken financial system thats falling before your eyes.

The JOKES on you… sheep.
sarah says – reply to this

42

This is so sad. He was such a great actor and so gorgeous. He has a little girl, it's so sad

may he rest in peace
K-Lu says – reply to this

43

RIP.

He was such an attractive man. And a wonderful actor. He will be missed. ='(
Austin says – reply to this

44

Yeah, I can only imagine the pain of his family. I think people need to stop speculating about how he died, give it two weeks, and then we can all talk about it.

All of the gossip I'm sure is causing his family more pain.
Amy says – reply to this

45

This is so sad and tragic, RIP Heath
do Pio says – reply to this

46

Bonjour,

I am not surprised from the results because if they only fund sleeping pills in his system now they have to figure out if it was a suicide or a bad mixing sleeping pills. If you body is drained and exhausted the combo can be explosive your body would not resist and just collapse. I am not a fan and I am not trying to defend anybody and maybe he was a drug user but if was a suicide why do you schedule a massage appointment????

Love and care from Paris France
Mackenzie says – reply to this

47

God this is just so sad he was such a great person we will be missed very much he was so young and just finished a movie why does this have to happen to the good ones.

RIP
quaille57 says – reply to this

48

It saddens me to learn of the death of this brilliant young actor. Regardless of the way he passed on, his character roles in The Patriot and Brokeback Mountain will continue to let us remember what a versatile young man he really was. Perez, you are reporting his death as a million other people are doing right now..there is no shame in doing that…we will be besieged with updates on Heath Ledger's death until the moment he is in the ground and most likely for months after. Instead of using profane language, showing what class you people have yourselves, why don't you stop, take a moment and say a prayer for Heath and his family. If you've ever lost anyone close to you, you know that this is a hard time for all. Heath, being young, and father of a young daughter who will never know him, makes it all that much worse.
Molly says – reply to this

49

I hope this wraps up soon, so the family can get some closure.
symranlovesledger says – reply to this

50

first time commenting on this blog … nothing worth comenting about, i.e. Britney … but Heat Ledger is worth a thought from me … as a gay man his courage to defy Hollyowod and portray a leading gay characater was beyond COURAGEOUS … if only more people were like him and supported the gay community.
Ima Haque says – reply to this

51

Aww : ( I MISS HIM!!!! I love perez
KLH says – reply to this

52

Re: who cares – you know, everybody in this world has a family and people that care about them. i honestly don't know how someone could be so low as to say who cares that someone died. Don't worry about losers like these people who are too selfish to see the real world before their very eyes. there are alot of people i don't like but i wouldn't wish anyone dead. shit like that shouldn't be published. imagine how his family feels right now. imagine someone that you love dies, would you be hurt if someone made that kind of comment. celebrity or not…. get a life and get over yourself. i widsh i knew who wrote that cause i'd give a them a personal calling down! may god keep watch over your soul Heath Ledger!!!
lisa says – reply to this

53

Rent the movie CANDY!!!!!!!!
CDM says – reply to this

54

SAD, WHAT HAPPENED TO HEATH. I HAVE NOT SEEN HIS FILMS, BUT I KNEW WHO HE WAS. JANUARY 2008 IS SURE A BUSY MONTH FOR HOLLYWOOD AND NEW YORK STARS DYING AT YOUNG AGES. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WAS LOOKING FOR BRITNEY, LINDSAY, OR PARIS DYING YOUNG. WELL THEY WERE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE. I FEEL SO BAD FOR HEATH'S FAMILY ESPECIALLY THE 2 YEAR HE LEFT BEHIND. SHE WILL MISS HER DADDY. HEATH PROBABLY JUST NEEDED SOME REST AND TOOK WAY TO MANY SLEEPING PILLS. JET LAG, SLEEP DEPRIVATION, FATIGUE AND PNUEMONIA WILL DO THAT FOR YOU. I JUST WISH THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR HIM AND ALSO THAT OTHER HOLLYWOOD STAR, BRAD RENFRO.

AMY, BRITNEY, LINDSAY, AND PARIS YOU ALL NEED TO WAKE UP AND STOP BEING SELF DESTRUCTIVE.
EZE says – reply to this

55

Everyone needs to remember his family, friends and co-workers are all in a state of shock and need their privacy to grieve. I am disgusted about all these assumptions about the way he passed. Let the medical examiners do their job and determine the cause. All the negativity just adds to horror of untimely death of such a young, beautiful talented man. We should all be silent about the cause until it has been revealed. My heart and love goess out to his family, especially dear sweet Matilda. RIP Heath
Grace E. says – reply to this

56

What a great black and white photo of Heath Ledger! Thanks for sharing it.
Still in shock says – reply to this

57

Re: josie – #44 I love A Knight Tales too. I will find it hard to reach into my collection of his movies and watch it again knowing that he is no longer with us. I feel bad that he is gone but find some comfort in hoping that if it was his time to go that it was an accident and not that he was depressed or suffering silently and that he couldn't handle it anymore. His life was good, his daughter beautiful and so much loved and his was doing what he loved to do. I pray he went in peace. Rest in Peace Heath.
Kevin says – reply to this

58

So two more weeks of the media whoring out themselves for stories. Trying to keep that fire burning….

I feel sorry for his family and relatives. I would have ended up punching a "reporter" over this had I been a close relative.
I beg of you Perez.... says – reply to this

59

Thanks Perez; this "news" has been out for hours now!! Stop promoting your show pony Paris and give us some real gossip!
Mary says – reply to this

60

Re: who cares –
GO AND FUCK YOURSELF YOU ASSHOLE, have some fucking respect.
Bibi :-( says – reply to this

61

I can't believe that he's dead! It doesn't seem real at all! I really liked him and it was a sure thing that he was gonna be huge in 2008, but it wasn't meant to be…it's so depressing and sad
And all those people being idiots about it just don't read the posts if they bother you so much!!!! Just scroll down to Britney's same old news!!!
Kyle says – reply to this

62

Re: who cares – Too bad you aren't!!
Heather says – reply to this

63

Very sad, very heart breaking and very hard to believe. My heart goes out to his family and friends. The most special people always die young. I hope people can respect his family and let the grieve in peace. RIP Heath.
mel b says – reply to this

64

I knew something was up with Heath, he had been looking horrible for months and his face had even taken on a drug look like a (meth) addict or something. It probably was an overdose, his reps don't want suicide cause life insurance doesn't pay on suicide. Michelle prob left cause the drug use…. he chose drugs over his family, A mag article in November quoted him as saying he was ready to die and live on in his child.
Marianna says – reply to this

65

is it true that he was dating gemma ward???
Silver says – reply to this

66

Sooooooooo Sad!!! Poor thing, let him R.I.P.
mogul says – reply to this

67

What happened to your "sources" who are talking exclusively to you? Everything you posted in the past two days has been taken off other websites, and posted an hour later. Anybody can do that.
DutchGirl says – reply to this

68

Heath I love you(K)
Perez i love you comments on Britney;)
We don't have that in holland
NYC Girl says – reply to this

69

Rumor has it that Heath was found in Mary Kate Olsons SOHO Apt? This was confirmed by PR from Mary Kate & Heath?? What is going on!!! Perez get the gossip!!!
Jamie says – reply to this

70

Sad…great actor…magnificent work… may your soul rest Heath…
Dawnie65 says – reply to this

71

Re: mimi – He gave up the hard drugs when he found out he was going to be a dad, please go back and confirm your info before throwing accusations like that around.
OSCARBUZZ says – reply to this

72

Perez, thanks for the beautiful picture of dear Heath. I think it should be noted that whether Heath personally leased the apartment from Mary-Kate or through a Leasing Agent, he may not have known who actually owned the apartment as stated in this morning's article. Mary-Kate may have been leasing the fashionable Soho apartment (wasn't it the same loft used in Ghost?), but she didn't necessarily have anything to do with Heath's sublease. She may not have even known that Heath was the current tennant even if she did own the apartment because her "people" would have handled the financial arrangements of the lease. I wish fans would just focus on the sad reality that another young, talented person has slipped into the arms of Necrosis. The preliminary autopsy report is almost a cut-n-paste job at this point….Someone simply fills in the general information: name, date, etc. We'll have to wait until the toxicology report before we know how this tragedy occurred. Let's not jump to conclusions such as similarities between Brandon Lee, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison, Anna Nicole, Marilyn Monroe, etc. As far as we know, other than anorexia, Mary-Kate did not have any addictions like Anna Nicole with her Methadone, etc.
Dawnie65 says – reply to this

73

Re: who cares – Who is the loser here? those who throw stones in glass houses pal! sure ppl are allowed their opinions but a bit of decorum please.
Cougar of the South says – reply to this

74

Chemical imbalances can produce incredible insomnia not to mention "odd seeming" behavior if one doesn't receive any or the correct medication, behavior that can actually mimic one being on drugs.
It's terribly tragic that his imbalance may have lead to accidently taking too many meds to experience the relief of sleep. We need more mental health awareness and safer sleep medication. Now outlawed narcotic sleep meds I believe are safer on one's liver than the oh so popular blue sleeping pill of today.
I will never forget Heath's moving performance in Broke Back. His amazing performance and that movie hopefully will impact history. He will always be remembered for that movie and I am sure his other films.
K says – reply to this

75

Michelle was in sweden when she found out the tradic new about heath´s death she went home to usa this morning. With her was there child
Dawnie65 says – reply to this

76

Re: OSCARBUZZ – The Rep for the Olsens has said the appartment was not owned or even partly owned by either of the Olsen girls.
ida says – reply to this

77

My take on things is that he woke up in the middle of the night not being able to sleep after having already taken sleeping pills, and took more which resulted in his death. It was said that he died a while before he was found and pneumonia has been ruled out now the autopsy is inconclusive.
He's spoken of not being able to sleep. i just don't believe it was illegal drugs that killed him….rest in peace heath…My thoughts are with Michelle, Matilda and their families
Caturday says – reply to this

78

I still can not believe he is gone!!! He was a very talented, great looking, descent person. His daughter will never know how much he loved her. She was his guiding light in life.
k says – reply to this

79

Note that also strong sleepingpills can make a affect of drug like behaver and that in ur system plus alcohol is not good combination. Also if u use sleepingpills to long it can make ur body immune and make u take more and more b/c u don´t feel the affects… but what ever happend to heath it´s sad and i thoughts is to him and Matilda
V says – reply to this

80

Poor Heath Ledger This is so sad!
P.S…I luv u Perez…U are awesome, screw the meatheads who talk shit!!
Selina says – reply to this

81

:(
Neavie says – reply to this

82

leave the poor man alone
think of his daughter
he's just died - this is not something to bitch about for goodness sake
Jenni says – reply to this

83

Depression is a disease.
Princess Diana, Kurt Cobian, Sylvia Plath, Picasso, and billions of other people have suffered it.
*instead of criticizing, enlighten yourself.
**If someone DOES indeed take drugs, it's a deeper issue. Most likely it means they are trying to self medicate emotional pain.
***how about FOR ONCE, we try to understand this but these peoples' points of view instead of crititcizing them.
***HAVE SOME EMPATHY! some of you people are are heartless and cold. JUST like sociopaths. which means you suffer from problems yourself.
S.A says – reply to this

84

I think I've had about enough of all the reports coming in that Heath Ledger was a drug user…
isn't possible that his passing was due to a mixture of prescription sleeping pills and over
the counter sleeping pills? It was already reported that he was having problems sleeping
and that one dose of sleeping pills did not have the desire effect. It is quite possible
that he took way too many of them and he overdose???. Haven't you people ever had
problems sleeping? I know I do. There are times when my brain keeps going and I toss and turn
and no matter what I do I only manage to get 2 hours of sleep. Think about how traumatic it is
for an actor like Hath Ledger to travel back and forth all over the place, a few hours of sleep here
and there and no rest. He was a brilliant actor and was in demand. It is very possible that
he was stressed out and really needed that 8 hour sleep. The fact that the autopsy was inconclusive
doesn't mean that he was hooked on drugs. Let's wait and see what they find first and then we
can all make a comment.
julie says – reply to this

85

what a beautiful picture of a beautiful soal
deedee says – reply to this

86

So sad to hear and read about this untimely death. His talents will be missed. My heart goes out to Michelle and Matilda Rose. No matter what his cause of death, it truly is a sad day.
Jen says – reply to this

87

I've known him since his "Sweat"-times in Australia and I have always deeply, deeply adored him and his work. He was a wonderful, down-to-earth character, a loving father and a genius in acting, who would put his own life on hold in order to fully sink into each one of his roles, which he so greatly performed.
I am truly sad and will miss Heath Ledger just for being Heath.
IL Chic says – reply to this

88

I can't quit you!

How very, very sad. I realy liked him.
Rainbowcat says – reply to this

89

This is so sad. What a loss whenever a promising career is cut short, and Ledger had amassed a body of work that was so good in such a short time. My heart goes out to his family, and to his little daughter.
sabs says – reply to this

90

this is so sad..he was so gorgeous…man..R.I.P Heath
Kate says – reply to this

91

If he did have pneumonia and then took Ambien, it could of depressed his respirations and he became ANOXIA. I took Ambien years ago and it made me feel like I had a 6 pack of beer in me, it affects everyone differently. People should take this as a warning, like what happened to Anna Nicole. Alot of us mix drugs and they sometimes counter act with one another. Whatever the case of his death may be, it is sad. I have to wonder though, the girlfriend kicked him out for a reason, maybe he did have a substance abuse. His poor daughter. Goes to show you how having money and fame does not make a person soulful or complete. Another one of life's fine lessons for us all. My prayers go out to his family, daughter and even his ex girlfriend….I am sure she is devasted.
Kate says – reply to this

92

Re: Kate – If he did have pneumonia and then took Ambien, it could of depressed his respirations and he became ANOXIC. I took Ambien years ago and it made me feel like I had a 6 pack of beer in me, it affects everyone differently. People should take this as a warning, like what happened to Anna Nicole and her son. Alot of us mix drugs and they sometimes counter act with one another. Whatever the case of his death may be, it is sad. I have to wonder though, the girlfriend kicked him out for a reason, maybe he did have a substance abuse problem. His poor daughter. Goes to show you how having money and fame does not make a person soulful or complete. Another one of life's fine lessons for us all. My prayers go out to his family, daughter and even his ex girlfriend….I am sure she is devastated…after all, this was her daughters father.
Martha says – reply to this

93

Re: who cares – We his fans care, his family & daughter…. How would you feel if it was someone that you loved.
Kate says – reply to this

94

OOPS so I can't spell. Went back in and fixed it.
Greg says – reply to this

95

Ambien marketed in Aus as Stilnox is a very dangerous drug! There has been lots of controversy surrounding the effects of this drug in Australia. Some reports of sleep driving, nuerosis, and other nasty side affects. There is currently a campaign to get this drug banned. Jack Nicholson claims he nearly drove off a cliff because of this nefarious drug. Come on people time to start questioning the research the big drug companies do into side affects of their products!!!!! R.I.P Heath
Brandon says – reply to this

96

I feel bad for the family.

Post 100
Rita says – reply to this

97

Re: who cares – We can only hope that YOU will be in tomorrow's obituaries ASSHOLE!
Mary says – reply to this

98

Re: who cares – Show some respect, you ass.
chelsea says – reply to this

99

so sad. I
Prince Justin XIII says – reply to this

100

This reminds me of River Phoenix all over again. So sad, too soon another bright star has burned out too early. He will be truly missed. He was one of my favorite actors today.

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Thank Goodness! 'Very Psychotic' Madonna Stalker Has Been Captured!!!

What a relief!

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The LAPD were describing the man as follows: