Heath Ledger Found Dead at Age 28; Family Calls It "Tragic, Untimely"

• Jan 22, 2008 09:56 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Heath Ledger, a 2006 Academy Award nominee for his role in Brokeback Mountain, on Tuesday afternoon was found dead at a New York apartment he was renting.

The New York Times reports that a housekeeper found Ledger naked and unconscious on a bed. There were sleeping pills (prescription and nonprescription) near his body on a night table. Authorities were called immediately.

"[We] saw it coming," a friend of Ledger's tells Us, citing the actor's fight to stay sober. "Things were very dark. His one joy was [2-year-old daughter] Matilda. Everything else was misery for him. Unfortunately he was too late in getting help."

Ledger, 28, had Matilda in 2005 with actress Michelle Williams. The couple met on the set of Brokeback and lived in Brooklyn together until they separated last year. An autopsy will be conducted Wednesday. There was no obvious indication that Ledger had committed suicide, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told the AP.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Aussie actor's father, Kim, said, "We, Heath's family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was down-to-earth, generous, kindhearted, life-loving... [an] unselfish individual, extremely inspirational to many. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

With this shocking news, is anyone taken back to the tragic death of River Phoenix? Was anyone aware of Ledger's possible battle with sobriety? Give us your thoughts. - Anna Dimond

Related:
" Jeers: Larry King flubs Heath Ledger profile
" Watch video: News coverage of Ledger's shocking death
" Watch video: Clips from many of Ledger's films
" Photo gallery: Heath Ledger's life in pictures
" Photo gallery: Stars and friends tribute Ledger