Heath Ledger's Initial Autopsy Is Inconclusive

Heath Ledger's Initial Autopsy Is Inconclusive

Doctors were unable to determine if the actor died from an illness or an overdose; family members and actors express their remorse

This morning's autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death for Heath Ledger, who died Tuesday afternoon in New York City. Pinpointing a conclusive reason could take 10 days. Still, it's been speculated that the actor, who was 28, could have overdosed on various medications. "This is being looked at as a possible overdose, but that is not confirmed yet," Paul Browne, spokesperson for the New York Police Department, told CNN.

People.com reports that the star's body was found in his bedroom, with prescription sleeping medication nearby. According to The Today Show (NBC), in an interview with The New York Times last year, Ledger admitted to having sleeping problems, explaining that he was only sleeping about two hours a night. The actor also said that sleeping pills had no effect on him.

EXPRESSING THEIR GRIEF

The Oscar-nominated actor for his work in Brokeback Mountain had recently split up with actress Michelle Williams. Williams, who at the time of the tragedy was working on a film in Sweden, returned to the States this morning with their daughter Matilda Rose, according a spokesperson from the film's production company. A source revealed that the actress, who also starred in Brokeback Mountain, "is devastated" by the tragic news.

The Australian actor's father Kim Ledger expressed: "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him...He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many."

Members of the acting world have also expressed their remorse at the sudden loss of such a talented star. Lindsay Lohan burst into tears when entertainment site TMZ.com asked her to share some words about her friend's death. Jessica Alba commented that even though she only met Ledger once, he seemed like a great actor to her, and his death is a terrible loss. His colleagues Mel Gibson and Nicole Kidman sent Ledger's family their best wishes and expressed great sadness for his tragic death.