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Ledger Autopsy Inconclusive

Coroner needs 10 days, further tests; actor's roles took toll, caused insomnia

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2008 9:56 AM CST
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(Newser) – An autopsy on actor Heath Ledger was inconclusive, the AP reports, and a medical examiner's office spokeswoman says that further needed tests will take about 10 days. Meanwhile, Ledger's family echoed earlier police statements that the actor had not committed suicide—rather, his death was “tragic, untimely, and accidental," his father said.

Ledger, found dead in his apartment yesterday with sleeping pills nearby, had said in November that his role as the Joker in an upcoming Batman movie had taken a toll. "Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." He added that prescription sleeping pills weren't helping.

The building where body of actor Heath Ledger, 28 was found dead in his apartment in the Soho section of downtown New York Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 (AP Photo/David Karp)
The building where body of actor Heath Ledger, 28 was found dead in his apartment in the Soho section of downtown New York Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 (AP Photo/David Karp)   (Associated Press)
Australian actor Heath Ledger's grieving parents Kim (L) and Sally (C) with his sister Kate outside their home in Perth, 23 January 2008. Actor Heath Ledger, 28, who rocketed to fame in his role as a gay cowboy in the Oscar-winning movie 'Brokeback Mountain,' was found dead in a...
Australian actor Heath Ledger's grieving parents Kim (L) and Sally (C) with his sister Kate outside their home in Perth, 23 January 2008. Actor Heath Ledger, 28, who rocketed to fame in his role as a...   (Getty Images)
A makeshift memorial for the deceased actor Heath Ledger is seen, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, outside the apartment building where his body was found in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. Authorities said the death was a possible overdose, but were awaiting the results of an autopsy set for Wednesday....
A makeshift memorial for the deceased actor Heath Ledger is seen, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, outside the apartment building where his body was found in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. Authorities said...   (Associated Press)
Heath Ledger is pictured at the 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on in this Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 file photo, in Los Angeles. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at a downtown Manhattan residence, police said. He was 28. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Heath Ledger is pictured at the 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on in this Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 file photo, in Los Angeles. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at a downtown Manhattan...   (Associated Press)
Australian actor Heath Ledger poses at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., in this March 31, 2001 file photo. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at a downtown Manhattan residence, police said. He was 28. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
Australian actor Heath Ledger poses at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., in this March 31, 2001 file photo. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at a downtown Manhattan residence,...   (Associated Press)
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film Candy in New York. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding roles that defied his leading-man looks, was found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment. The Australian-born actor...
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film "Candy" in New York. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding...   (Associated Press)
The chapel at the Guildford Grammar School is pictured in Guildford on January 23, 2008 in Perth, Australia. Ledger attended Guildford Grammer from 1992 to 1996 and the school have approached Ledger's family to offer its chapel for a memorial service to the dead actor. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The chapel at the Guildford Grammar School is pictured in Guildford on January 23, 2008 in Perth, Australia. Ledger attended Guildford Grammer from 1992 to 1996 and the school have approached Ledger's...   (Getty Images)
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Read the November New York Times interview
New York Times

More on the drugs found in Ledger's apartment
Australia's News Network

More on Ledger's possible addiction and depression
Australia's News Network

 
autopsy • insomnia • Heath Ledger • medical examiner • sleeping pills • the Joker

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