Australian actor Heath Ledger found dead at a Manhattan apartment.

[Kowalski]

Australia lost a fine actor.

Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead at a Manhattan apartment Tuesday afternoon in what appeared to be a possible drug-related death; he was 28. The actor was discovered in one of the SoHo apartment's bedrooms at 3:31 p.m., when a masseuse arrived for a scheduled appointment and the residence's housekeeper went to inform the actor of the masseuse's arrival.

He was found unconscious and unresponsive; the New York Times stated that the apartment in question belonged to actress Mary-Kate Olsen, who was not present and was believed to be out of state. An initial police report also cited by the New York Times said that foul play was not suspected and that pills had been found near Ledger's body. A native of Australia, Ledger shot to fame as a teen heartthrob in 10 Things I Hate About You before graduating to more adult roles, most notably his Oscar-nominated turn in Brokeback Mountain.

Engaged at one time to Brokeback co-star Michelle Williams, the two had a daughter but had split in recent months. Earlier this year, Ledger wrapped filming on the Batman film The Dark Knight, in which he played The Joker; the film is currently set for release this summer. Further details of the actor's death were not available at press time. --IMDb staff

Source: Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - IMDb News Flash - 22 January 2008

Heath Ledger: 1979 - 2008.

 

[CorpusCallosum]

RIP!!!!!

 

[Centurion]

I just found out about it. Chocked! Apparently there more to it than what you see on the surface.

 

[cawimmer430]

What's up with "famous people" and "drugs"?

 

[PanterroR]

This is sad indeed...

 

[Monster]

The Australian media went into melt down mode today. Poor guy, early reports are saying he has been on these new sleeping pills for months and apparently it has dangerous side effects.

Even though I was never a fan of his, I have been watching his career develop over time, and it is always a shock to see a successful young man with his life cut short so suddenly. R.I.P mate.

 

[CorpusCallosum]

Ok, from my knowledge of the drug he has been reported of taking, I can lead to three different probabilities for the tragic cause of death. Zolpidem is a prescription drug that is well noted to treat insomnia and also has been known to help people who are in a wake coma that result from head trauma. An awake coma for reference is known as PVC (persistent vegetative state). This means that the neurons within the cerebral cortex are functioning but they are asleep, similar to a dormant volcano.
Zolpidem could have resulted in Heath’s death by either creating a euphoric feeling. This may have lead to an accidental overdose. Enough Zolpidem is fatal! Secondly, and more sadly, depression can be caused by insomnia (inability to “fall’ asleep) due to a subsequent loss of sleep and thus he may have overdosed on purpose. It’s a harsh reality but in I have seen it all before. The final cause of death that I can think of and I am no internal medicine specialist is that an adverse reaction between the drug and his reported pneumonia problem has resulted in respiratory distress and cardiac arrest and ultimately death. Another potential cause is the mixture of the Zolpidem and his pneumonia treatments may have caused a deadly combination. I guess we will have to wait and see however.

RIP HEATH LEDGER!!!

Good chance I am wrong but...

 

[Zafiro]

I hope it wont delay the new Batman movie.