R.I.P.
Ledger's Death Doesn't Look Like Suicide

Multiple sources in the NYPD tell TMZ, although it's too early to know, it's looking like Heath Ledger's death was accidental and not suicide.

There have been numerous reports suggesting that Ledger took his own life by ingesting a boatload of pills. Contrary to initial reports, the pills that were "scattered" around Ledger's apartment were actually in containers. We're told the containers were not littering the apartment. Rather, some were in the medicine cabinet and some in other rooms. As we reported, one container was on Ledger's nightstand. Cops found sleeping pills and an anti-anxiety drug in the bedroom.

A rep for the family tells TMZ that detectives have been in touch with Ledger's next of kin and the cops told them that so far there is no evidence suggesting suicide. Of course, until the toxicology reports come in, no one knows for sure.

A well-connected source in the NYPD told us this morning the "operating theory" right now within the department is that it was an accidental death, not suicide.

It's unclear if Ledger's health was a factor. As we first reported, he had pneumonia at the time of his death.

Filed under: R.I.P., Heath Ledger

Reader Comments

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31. Even if he was going through a lot in his life and he chose to commit suicide, it's not up to us to judge him. Any member of any one of our families could be a junkie and we wouldn't even know it if they were careful and they hid it well. Respect the man. Respect his family. Respect death. It scares me that there are vicious people like you who are allowed to roam this planet. It's loons like you who become rapists and murderers.

Posted at 9:41AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by M

32. I THINK HE WAS JET LAGGED AND NEEDED TO SLEEP AND TOOK TO MUCH!

Posted at 9:41AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by aa111

33. Some of you have no appreciation for life at all... Respect death.

Posted at 9:42AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Mhenad

34. Tragic, my condolences to his family. On another note, what are the odds that Britney will do something "crazy" just because the media is no longer focusing on her right now???? My money is on by later today!

Posted at 9:43AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by hmmmm

35. While Heath may not have been a "junkie" and hadn't intended to commit suicide, the fact is he was clearly troubled
- pneumonia is not to be taken lightly, it's brought on by exhaustion -- mental and physical
- the reports say he was found with both prescription and non-prescription pills. I doubt very much that when the doctor prescribed his pills he would have said "it's ok to mix and match". Whether he wanted to kill himself or not, when people start "supplementing" their medicines it IS a warning
- he did have drug issues (YES he had them -- he was in rehab and it was one of the reasons for the divorce)
- where was his network of friends and family? THIS is the only thing that helps an individual get through trying times

Lesson to us all
- who do YOU know (faminly, friends) who are isolated, troubled, sick, have had trouble with substance abuse, have had major upheaval in their lives
- LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE THERE FOR THEM AND TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM AND THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE WITH THEM IN IT!!!!!

Posted at 9:43AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by blablabla

36. I agree that it would be nice if TMZ and other news outlets did not report every rumor. It was reported as a sucicide... it was reported it as a drug overdose...he was in Mary Kate's apartment, he was not in Mary Kate's apartment. He was found naked in his bed, he was found naked faced down on the floor. Pills were scattered around the apartment...pills were in containers throughout the apartment. It goes on and on. In an effort to be the first to report something the "media" will report anything, hoping that if the info is correct they were first. I come to TMZ to get facts but when it comes to a breaking story they throw facts out in favor of being first. Also, shame on the NYPD for publicizing his death before his loved ones could be informed and turning his death into the circus it was last night.
This was a human being, dad, son, brother, friend who died...he chose to be an actor, this does not mean we are entitled to know every aspect of his life and death.
I read TMZ daily...I am not being a hypocrite...there is something different when a person has died...our "need" to know is not as important as his need for his privacy and respect.

Posted at 9:44AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Lili

37. "26. It's hard to feel sorry for him. He had everything and lost it. I'd be surprised if he just died of pneumonia. It had to be something like he took too many sleeping pills. How stupid do you have to be to not read the warning labels on a pill bottle? If he loved his daughter as much as people claim he wouldn't have been so stupid.

Posted at 9:38AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by ME"

It'll be VERY hard to feel sorry for you when you get run over by a truck for posting something so vicious. Karma...

Posted at 9:46AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Mhenad

38. I honestly can’t believe this. It is just so sad. I lost my brother two years ago to an accidental drug overdose and it is honestly the hardest thing in the world. My heart aches for him and his family. Heath was such a wonderful actor and such a handsome man. It is such a tragedy. So talented, good looking and so much more to offer his child and the rest of the world. His deep and sexy voice, his talent his love for his child, and the movies that he had to offer will surely be missed terribly. So so sad!

Posted at 9:47AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by maggs2908

39. Mhenad, I'm sorry if you can't face the truth. His death should be a wake up call to anyone who overdoes prescription medicine. What's so objectionable about what I said. It's the truth!

Posted at 9:48AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by ME

40. I am just in shock right now I feel like I am dreaming and I am about to wake up! But I see that I am not! Heath was a awsome actor and from what little I know he was a great father to his daughter I just feel so bad for her! To grow up now with out a father oh wow this is not real! I will be praying for his family! It goes to show you that life is just too damn short one min your here and the next your gone you just got to make each day count like if it was your last day on earth! I was not a big huge fan of Heath but I was a fan of his. And he will be missed. To his fans out there he is in a much better place now he is walking with Jesus now and he will always be looking down on his baby girl! God bless. R.I.P Heath

Posted at 9:51AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Jerri from Milwaukee, WI

41. "27. He was a cocaine and heroin addict, it was just a matter of time until this happened!

Why's there so much interest in this? If you live in a big city you can bet that someone in your street is a coke snorting smack head with weeks to live. He's nothing special.

Posted at 9:39AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Taffy Titz"

Why don't you commit suicide and rid us all of people like you? You're a hateful human being with no compassion whatsoever even in the face of death. How could you post something so nasty about someone you probably don't know after he died and without knowing all the facts? Even if he was a junkie, let the man rest in peace. You act like you don't even have a shred of decency or consideration in your body. Oh... Please take numbers 4 and 38 with you.

Posted at 9:52AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by What a waste of flesh...

42. "40. Mhenad, I'm sorry if you can't face the truth. His death should be a wake up call to anyone who overdoes prescription medicine. What's so objectionable about what I said. It's the truth!

Posted at 9:48AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by ME"

RESPECT THE DEAD!

Posted at 9:53AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by What a waste of flesh...

43. Whatever the cause of death may be, let us prayer for comfort for Heath, his family and his daughter. They need our prayers and good thoughts right now.

Posted at 9:54AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Tinker Bell

44. Gee, imagine the NYT's making a statement like that! I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that stating a cause of death or claiming suicide without the autopsy might open them to liability!

Hey TMZ.do any of those with posting privilages even read what the others have posted? I didn't think so!

Posted at 9:55AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Pam

45. :(....Sooooooooooooooo sad!

Brillant actor and an AWESOME smile.

Heath will be greatly missed.

My prayers go out to his family.

Posted at 9:56AM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Brandi

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