Heath's Death Could Be Natural Causes

Heath LedgerIt sounds strange, but sources intimately connected with the Heath Ledger investigation tell TMZ it's possible the actor died of natural causes.

The reason they think that -- it's now appearing that the level of toxicity (from medication) in Ledger's system was low enough that it may not have caused his death. These sources say Heath's heart stopped. It could have been a heart attack but it's not certain, at least not yet. Although it's bizarre that a 28-year-old could die of natural causes, it happens.

We've also learned authorities do not believe the housekeeper heard Ledger snoring when she walked in his bedroom at around 1:00 PM. Sources tell us, a fireman observed rigor mortis in Ledger's jaw shortly after arriving on scene at around 3:30 PM. Sources say they now believe Ledger was dead for around three hours prior to their arrival, so they don't believe the housekeeper could have heard snoring.

Authorities are also annoyed at news reports that there may have been a sinister plot to remove illegal drugs from Ledger's apartment before cops and firemen arrived. There are reports out there that the masseuse called Mary-Kate Olsen and a plot was hatched to have her bodyguard remove certain drugs. Authorities tell us that's impossible, because the cops were there the entire time the bodyguard was present and there would have been no opportunity to carry out such a plan. They say it's a made up story.

As we first reported, the masseuse contacted the bodyguard because she knew he was a licensed EMT.

Reader Comments

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16. So he must have died right around the time the housekeeper got there. She said she arrived at 12:30 PM.
Sadness.
RIP

Posted at 7:08PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Jillian

17. Hey, DC #2, your standard aof what makes up "great" must be pretty low.

Posted at 7:09PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Get Real

18. No matter what the report says, in my mind he did die of natural causes.
Heath was a beautiful person I feel in love with him and his work in the first movie i every watched with him in it.
Eventhough he is gone I will continue to watch and enjoy his films!!!!!!

Posted at 7:32PM on Jan 26th 2008 by crazyj

19. The pneumonia may have weakened his immune system and body causing his heart to fail. If not treated properly pneumonia can cause death no matter what age a person is.

Posted at 7:11PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Maggie

20. Please God that this is confirmed for the sake of his family and daughter

Good night sweet boy xx

Posted at 7:21PM on Jan 26th 2008 by AF

21.

So many things wrong with this article, starting with the whole speculation crap again when there will not be any toxicology reports for another several days.

Also, DUH, people die of natural causes at any age, it's just not as common in young people.

And.......the masseuse did not call the bodyguard, she called the Olsen twin, who in turn called the bodyguard.

Finally, it was "news" organizations like TMZ who started the stupid rumours about a cover-up to remove drugs from the scene.

TMZ.........if you don't have an actual story, why make one up? Just run a "Best of..." cooter shots or something. Leave the serious journalism to the serious journalists. You are way out of your league with the Heath coverage, that was proven in the hours after his death.

Posted at 7:12PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Reality

22. Amen to Reality. I totally agree. If you don't have the facts TMZ, STFU.

Posted at 7:15PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Nancy

23. Adrienne, you're jumping the gun a little bit. "Natural Causes" is NOT the cause of death, - as of now there IS no "actual" cause of death. It is just the prevailing CURRENT and logical opinion. The actual cause(s) won't be known for a while longer.

Posted at 7:17PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Reread It

24. You mean somebody might have gotten a story wrong....that's unbelievable!

Posted at 7:24PM on Jan 26th 2008 by BigObama

25. Well, it IS possible. Remember, Sergei Grinkov?? Supremely in shape figure skater died on the ice of a heart attack. No drugs involved. Very young...too young. Don't discout the theory until the tox reports actually come out.

Posted at 6:24PM on Jan 28th 2008 by Shawski

26. Whoa! I was JUST talking about this with a friend of mine right before this was posted! my friend still cant understand why the masseuse called MK instead of the paramedics and, I said, even though I dont agree with what she did in any way shape of form, if there was rigormortis in the body when she saw him it would explain why she didnt rush to call 911, especially while engaging in a felnoius activity (practising without a liscense).

Again, I dont agree with her actions but it makes the story a little clearer,

but still truly sad all around!

Rest In Peace, Heathcliff Ledger.

Posted at 7:22PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Evian85258

27. NIK, reread the article. OD is NOT yet ruled out, - the "theory" just seems to be leaning away from it. When the actual results DO come out, only THEN can anyone say what the causes were.

Posted at 7:22PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Look Again

28. I hope his name is cleared and he can rest in peace.

Posted at 9:40PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Anna

29. Apparently he was not suffering from pneumonia according to the Insider....

I think we should just wait until the facts come out and regardless of the outcome a talented human being is gone, a daughter without a father, a mother and father without a son, and sisters without a brother...and loved ones without a friend.

God Bless them all and Heath.

Posted at 7:24PM on Jan 26th 2008 by jo

30. jbird = Nobody in human history has been recorded as dying from direct physical effects of LSD. Certainly people have gone crazy and therefore brought about accidental deaths through other means, but LSD itself does not damage the heart or cause toxicity to the body.

I am sorry about your friend, but no he did not die from past LSD use. If he did, this is something unknown and new to medical science.

Posted at 10:42PM on Jan 26th 2008 by Duckenheimer

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