"Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger died of an accidental
overdose of several medications, including painkillers, sleeping
pills and anti-anxiety medication, the New York City medical
examiner said Wednesday.
Heath's death on Jan. 22 was caused by "acute intoxication by
the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam,
temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," spokeswoman Ellen Borakove
was quoted as saying in a statement.
The drugs are the generic names for the OxyContin painkiller,
the anti-anxiety drug Valium, Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, and the
sleep aids Restoril and Unisom; Hydrocodone is a widely used
prescription painkiller, the Associated Press reported.
"What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of the
semedications together," Borakove said.
The 28 year-old Australian-born actor's body was discovered by
his masseuse. Police found bottles of six types of prescription
drugs, including sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, in his
bedroom and bathroom.
Ledger was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2005 film
"Brokeback Mountain."
Ledger's family returned to the actor's hometown of Perth,
Australia, on Tuesday to prepare for his funeral.
Ledger was recently seen in the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not
There." He had recently finished filming a turn as the Joker in
"The Dark Night," a sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins."
He was survived by a daughter, Matilda. Matilda's mother,
actress Michelle Williams, whom Ledger met in 2005 while filming
"Brokeback Mountain," split with him last year.
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(Xinhua/Agencies February 8, 2008)
