Hope its OK to start up this thread. I though it might be a good place for ppl to talk about his death and how they are feeling.
I for one am shocked! It must have been accidental, he must have done an Anna Nicole and mixed drugs accidentally. I can't imagine why he would take his own life! I'm just shocked....
This is horribly sad but unlike Anna Nicole, Heath didn't talk about killing himself as Anna apparently did, to everyone. Anna Nicole was seriously disturbed and was off her face most of her final years. I, myself would not even mention her and Heath in the same sentence. If you think Anna accidentally mixed the alcohol and drugs that killed her then Simpson, I am afraid you are more 'naive' than I imagined. Heath was a fine natural actor IMHO but a very reclusive, quiet and eccentric person. I know it is yet to be seen whether he intended to kill himself but if he took more than a few sleeping pills I believe his 'intent' was clear. Having 'been there done that' myself three years ago, everything but the dying part, thank goodness, I can honestly say he must of been in a very very dark place. A place where you are not thinking about the consequences, not thinking about the loved one's you'll leave behind, in fact you are not THINKING at all. You are acting on emotion and the fact you would prefer not to be 'here' anymore. It is so sad that he was in that state of mind if that is what really happened, and saw no way out.
I know it is yet to be seen whether he intended to kill himself but if he took more than a few sleeping pills I believe his 'intent' was clear.
Maybe not though, he had suffered a lower back injury filming Batman Begins and was on Pain Killers at that time, also he had returned home early from filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus with Terry Gilliam in England because of severe Pneumonia. So if he was in pain and suffering the effects of pneumonia, it is possible he mixed or took too many a combination of sleeping pills and pain killers to try and get some rest before the masseuse arrived, perhaps in combo the pain killers and sleeping pills are deadly, or because of the pneumonia he was unable to throw up and choked.
There were prescription pills nearby, police said. ''We are investigating the possibility of an overdose,'' police spokesman Paul Browne said. ''There were pills within the vicinity of the bed.''
The police spokesman said the pills were not scattered around Ledger's body, as previously reported. "There were some prescription medications that included sleeping pills," he said.
I would be thinking it is all a very unfortunate accident no matter how many pills are in his body, I've had severe pneumonia before and I can tell you, you will try anything to get some sleep (even with bad Flu some people will) and if I had of had sleeping pills and pain killers laying around, in a frustrated state of mind I would of probably tried both myself (hell I remember taking Nurofen Plus, Lem Sip, and Aspro Clear in one hit at one point and then still took some Codral Forte and more Nurofen Plus not long after all that lot cause all i wanted to do was sleep, so it would be a given really).
Guess sooner or later we will know more, however either way it is a sad loss for the Family and I hope the Media respect their wishes and give them some distance.
Ledger's death accidental: dad "Heath's family confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda.
"He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30pm US time.
That does not mean it is so though. Just as much as finding tablets 'nearby' means he died from an overdose. Not only has a young man died but he has left so many loved one's and family stunned with grief. I presume his Dad used the word asleep instead of dead because death seems too final. It is a great thing that he made time at Christmas to visit family in Australia and those who saw him will have wonderful and recent memories of him. Never seen his 'Brokeback Mountain' but will have to do that soon also.
His parents, who live about 5 minutes away from my house in Applecross, Perth, found out about this on the radio early in the morning. This is truely sad and probably the worst way to find out about someones death
Yes thats a hard way to find out your son has died. Someone should have thought to call them. And all the innuendo about his death will be upsetting them all over again. I hope they have the good sense not to listen. All this 'reporting' of pills and such, is so bogus. People should wait for the facts before speculating.
Did you ever see him 1010?
GOODBYE fellow eBlah's .....it sure has been nice meeting yo'all here and I will miss everyone of you
No actually I have never seen him. He was here over Christmas yet no one really new about it, he was always allowed a life of privacy in Perth and why he always liked to come back here. I did go to Southbound where he apparently was, but I never saw him. There was a lot of media around earlier today (on another note those from channel nine cant drive very well!)
As for someone calling his parents, they were eventually called but the media broke the story very early, not to mention it was the middle of the night/morning when it happened our time
Depression, addiction dogged Ledger Mark Dunn January 23, 2008 07:05am
HEATH Ledger was battling drug addiction and depression in the lead-up to his tragic death yesterday.
The acclaimed actor was found naked and unconscious in his $26,000-a-month Manhattan apartment, surrounded by prescription anti-anxiety and sleeping pills.
Last night, New York City's medical examiner said a cause of death would be determined in 10 to 14 days after the results of a post-mortem proved inconclusive and further tests were deemed necessary.
``We did the autopsy today and the results are inconclusive,'' Ellen Borakove, director of public affairs at the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office, said today.
``We have to do some additional testing in order to determine the cause of death and the testing would include toxicology testing and tissue testing.''
It was standard procedure to test for a ``spectrum'' of legal and illegal drugs.
``They do standard drug screens,'' she said.
``If anything is found they go back and identify and quantify whatever they have.''
The New York affiliate for American TV network CBS, quoting sources close to the investigation, reported today ``several drug packets containing an unknown substance'' were found in Ledger's apartment and were listed in the official police report from the scene.
Timeline to 911 call
Also today, more details emerged of how Ledger's body was found.
The masseuse who found him twice rang the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, a friend of the Australian actor, before calling the emergency number 911, it was reported.
The New York Times online, quoting unnamed New York City police officials, said the masseuse Diana Wolozin told Olsen that Ledger was unconscious.
Olsen said she would call some private security people she knew in New York, and hung up.
The Times said Wolozin again shook Ledger, called Olsen a second time, and said she believed the situation was grave and would call 911.
Wolozin called 911 at 3.26pm (7.26am AEDT yesterday) and reported that Ledger was not breathing.
The 911 call was made less than 15 minutes after Wolozin first saw Ledger in bed and only a few moments after the first call to Olsen.
The 911 operator urged Wolozin to try to revive Ledger, but she was unsuccessful.
Emergency medical workers arrived at 3.33pm, at the same time a private security guard called by Olsen arrived.
The medical workers moved his body to the floor and then used a defibrillator and CPR, but Ledger was pronounced dead at 3.36pm.
New York police sources said the signs pointed to either an accidental overdose or suicide.
Ledger reportedly spent several days at a drug rehab clinic battling an addiction to heroin following his split with fiancee Michelle Williams in September. The pair have a two-year-old daughter, Matilda.
Sources close to the superstar said he was desperately battling drugs, alcohol and depression.
"To tell you the truth . . . we saw it coming," one friend told a US website.
"Things were very dark. His one joy was Matilda. Everything else was misery for him . . . unfortunately he was too late in getting help."
The following is what a church intends to do because of Heath's role as a 'gay' cowboy in Brokeback Mountain
Church members to picket Heath Ledger's funeral By staff writers January 24, 2008 09:24am
A US church says actor Heath Ledger is in hell because he played a gay cowboy in one of his films, and has vowed to picket his funeral.
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a Kansas-based congregation known for its demonstrations outside funerals for US soldiers killed in Iraq, said the Perth-born Australian actor who died yesterday was “now in hell”.
“WBC will picket this pervert’s funeral in religious protest,” the group said in a statement on its website.
“God hates the sordid, tacky bucket of slime seasoned with vomit known as Brokeback Mountain – and He hates all persons having anything to whatsoever to do with it.
“Heath Ledger is now in hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there.”
In a later interview, church spokeswoman Shirley Phelps-Roper said on Fox News that demonstrations would be limited to memorial services held in the US.
“He got on that big screen with a big, fat message: God is a liar and it’s OK to be gay,” Ms Phelps-Roper said.
The church, which has been classified by the Southern Poverty Law Centre as a “hate group”, also planned to demonstrate outside the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.
Ledger, 28, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment yesterday. A post-mortem examination has been inconclusive and toxicology tests are being performed to determine what, if any, drugs were in his system when he died.
Ledger was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain, a role for which he was widely admired.
Get OVER yourselves morons. The Church (all Christian Churches) believe that all suicides go to hell.
I believe they go to a very dark place that takes a long time to get out of but eventually your Spirit does escape that 'hell hole' to move on as it was meant to.
I think it was an accident.. maybe.. What does Mary kate olsen have to do with any of this?? And I just realised Michelle Williams was the girl in 'd**k' with Kirsten Dunst :O
Re those 'Christians' intending to picket the Ledger service - at least they are not coming to Perth, so the family can have the funeral without it being disfigured, but I read that they willpicket the Memorial service in L.A.
Actually not long back, only some weeks maybe, a grieving father of a soldier killed in Iraq, won a multi million dollar lawsuit against these freaks when they picketed his son's funeral, waving placards praising " another dead soldier" and " fags will burn in hell" etc. For some bizarre reason, they equate the American military and the war in Iraq with support of homosexuality.
This latest outburst purely because Heath ( who was heterosexual anyway) played a gay role in 'Brokeback Mountain' !! Lunatics ! Do they think that because Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lector that he was promoting cannibalistic serial killers. ????
These Baptist splinter 'Christians' are truly putrid and repugnant human beings.
They are not long our days of wine and roses-out of a dream our path emerges, then closes forever within a dream.
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I was so disgusted about those anti-gay American church idiots who came out just days after Heath Ledger's death and think that Heath Ledger should ought to burn in hell. See here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/25/2146246.htm
That would have to be the worst insult to the family of the Ledgers and fans alike. Gee, idiots like that, and not to forget Germaine Greer's bad crocodile comment at Steve Irwin, need to get a real life.
Those death comments make me sick in the stomach. If I was related to Heath, I would have like to kick them homophobic butts !!
"Those death comments make me sick in the stomach. If I was related to Heath, I would have like to kick them homophobic butts !!"
Yes, if they go on like this about a hetrosexual star who merely played a gay character (as have many, many heterosexual stars over the years) one wonders what they would be like at the funeral of an actual gay actor ??
The problem is that many of these hate filled neurotics who happen to be heavily religious, often have large families, and then distort and bend the minds of their children to raise another generation of irrational haters and fools.
They are not long our days of wine and roses-out of a dream our path emerges, then closes forever within a dream.
As stated in my original post regarding the 'Church' that intends to picket memorial services for Heath:
Quoted Text
The church, which has been classified by the Southern Poverty Law Centre as a “hate group”, also planned to demonstrate outside the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.
In the previous post (Number 11 on Page 1) the woman was in fact breaking God's laws by judging others and actually saying what God thinks. How the hell does she know what God is thinking. Idiot/s.
As far as depression goes.... it does not discern who it affects. Many very funny comedians suffer and have suffered depression. For anyone who doesn't quite 'get' how insidious depression is and can be, I recommend you read all the posts in the following thread... http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/eblah/m-1136419553/s-0/
AUSTRALIAN Baptists have moved to distance themselves from controversial comments about Heath Ledger by an American Baptist church. The Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, said it would protest against any memorial held for Ledger in the US because the 28-year-old actor supported homosexuals.
"I'm going to picket him in two places," parishioner Shirley Phelps told Sydney radio station 2Day FM.
"I'm going to stand outside of any public memorial service that he has here.
"And then the other place I'm going to picket him is when they prop him up to worship his dead, rotting carcass further at the Oscars. I'll be right outside by the red carpet."
It is understood Ledger's body will be returned to Perth, where his former school has offered to hold a memorial service.
The church has ruled out travelling to Australia for the funeral.
In a statement, Baptist Union of Australia president Rev Dr Ross Clifford said his church was not associated with the Westboro church, and rejected the actions of members of that group in seeking to disrupt memorial services for Ledger.
"The intention of Ms Shirley Phelps-Roper and other Westboro Baptist Church members to picket the memorial services was completely inappropriate, and their statements were increasingly extreme and counterproductive," Dr Clifford said.
Dr Clifford joined Pastor Mark Wilson, Director of Ministries for Western Australian Baptists, in saying that the thoughts and prayers of Australian Baptists were with Ledger's family and friends in their grief and sadness at his tragic death.
Actually not long back, only some weeks maybe, a grieving father of a soldier killed in Iraq, won a multi million dollar lawsuit against these freaks when they picketed his son's funeral, waving placards praising " another dead soldier" and " fags will burn in hell" etc. For some bizarre reason, they equate the American military and the war in Iraq with support of homosexuality.
They regularly picket at soldiers funerals apparently, as well as other Christian churches on Sundays, and of course any funeral where a gay person was killed for being gay or died of AIDS. For some reason they also picketed the Amish funeral for those school children who were lined up in the school house and executed. I think their stance is they see things like war and disasters as God's punishment against USA for their acceptance of homosexuality and sodomy. The pastor is a regular on talk back radio shows, which is why he can take any question thrown at him without blinking an eye - I felt sorry for the A Current Affair chick, I'm not sure she knew what she was dealing with! That man just cannot be insulted! He and his followers are pure evil. I'm just so glad they are too cheap to fly all the way out here!
Simpson wrote - "He and his followers are pure evil."
Absolutely, and yet even after the debunking of so many 'messiahs' and 'gurus' ( and often a high body count when the movements end ) there are still people out there (albeit very few in number mercifully) who unreservedly follow what to them is a charismatic leader.
After the Baghwan and the Orange People and all the funds being locked in Swiss accounts, the Jim Jones Guyana debacle, the Manson Family , Waco - Texas, and there was one mass suicide recently in 1997 I think, the Heaven's Gate cult who all took poisoned Kool Aid and thought a spaceship in the tail of the Halle Bop Comet was then collecting them en route to Paradise ??? We have had cases aplenty here in Oz with some cult leaders being gaoled for fraud or sexual offences etc. But still they queue to join the new 'thunderers'. ???
Interesting info in your post - thanks - I especially found the mention of their protest at the Amish mass funeral most telling. If they can be THAT blinkered and malignant, then there is no hope for a blameless actor to be overlooked for a toxic spray of malevolant borderline- insanity. Saving Grace ? Heath Ledger's celluloid legacy will be around and remembered long after the viper-tongued Church of Hate has joined the sorry ranks of the above diseased belief sects.
They are not long our days of wine and roses-out of a dream our path emerges, then closes forever within a dream.
I especially found the mention of their protest at the Amish mass funeral most telling. If they can be THAT blinkered and malignant, then there is no hope for a blameless actor to be overlooked for a toxic spray of malevolant borderline- insanity. Saving Grace ? Heath Ledger's celluloid legacy will be around and remembered long after the viper-tongued Church of Hate has joined the sorry ranks of the above diseased belief sects.
Well put Nimbus! So succinctly expressed!
We sunny coasters know how to state our stuff and speak our minds
Thanks SuziH - for your compliment in reply 22. Presumably, the sheer lunacy and ugliness of Ms. Phelps-Roper and her vile pack have spurred me to a rare burst of eloquence.
The only high point in this sorry tale is the public distancing of the Australian Baptist Church from the splinter group of extremists represented in Kansas. ( I would be rather surprised if the American Baptist Church had not also issued statements indicating that the pinch- faced, anal-retentive, deluded Ms. Phelps-Roper was not speaking on behalf of the main stream Baptists ?)
I saw a short grab on tv this morning of the Ledger Memorial in L.A. and there was no sign of the placard waving WBC members. Perhaps they were there, spewing their twisted comments, but if the media refuse to publicise it, that may harm them somewhat, as they are dying ( if only) to get the message out.
They are not long our days of wine and roses-out of a dream our path emerges, then closes forever within a dream.
I must of been in shock the first week after Heath Ledger's death because I didn't shed a tear although I was shattered, now I find myself crying when they show people mourning him. Especially those closely related and Michelle Williams. So so sad to see how his death has affected other actors and the public in General. Seeing people obviously grieving openly just breaks my heart.
HEATH Ledger's former exclusive boy's school says it respects his family opting for a private funeral instead of a service in the Guildford Grammar chapel.
The school's Director of Community Relations, Graeme Plumber, said today he was not surprised the family had turned down their offer of a service in favour of a private funeral, reportedly to be held at Perth's Karrakatta Cemetery.
"I suspect that having had a memorial in the United States, they probably want the dignity of a private service," Mr Plumber said.
The school would likely hold a remembrance service for Ledger, he said.
"At some stage, later, when everything is calmer, we will probably hold a memorial," Mr Plumber said.
The service would only be for old schoolies, and the Ledger family if they wish, because the chapel was too small for a high profile public memorial, he said.
All Guildford Grammar old boys were offered the use of the chapel for weddings and funerals, regardless of their public profile.
Ledger's body is expected to be returned to Perth this week, but it is unclear whether Ledger's ex-fiancee Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda will fly to Perth for the funeral.
However, Ledger's Brokeback Mountain co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, who is Matilda's godfather, will reportedly attend the service.
Ledger, 28, who won acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain, was found dead in a Manhattan apartment on January 22.
A post-mortem examination failed to determine the cause of death, but speculation soon turned to drug abuse.
Six different anti-anxiety and sleeping prescription drugs were found in the SoHo apartment, although police said there were no illegal drugs.
The New York Medical Examiner's Office, responsible for conducting Ledger's autopsy, says the cause of death is likely to be released early this week, possibly Tuesday or Wednesday.
The office has been awaiting the outcome of toxicology tests
Ledger death due to drug cocktail, accidental Thursday, 7 February, 2008
Hollywood star Heath Ledger, found dead in his New York apartment two weeks ago, died of accidental intoxication brought on by his abuse of a cocktail of prescription drugs, officials say.
Ledger, who scored critical acclaim for his performance as a repressed gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005, was taking a mixture of pain killers, sedatives and antidepressants used to treat anxiety and sleep problems.
"Mr Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the city's chief medical examiner's office said in a statement.
Here is explanation of the drugs mentioned..... Some of these drugs are very similar and when taken with alcohol, the effect can increase drowsiness.
Oxycodeine is an opioid analgesic which contain codeine (codeine is also in the medication Paracetamol) and when taken in regular doses over a period of time, can cause liver damage and death from accumulation even when not taken to excess.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic. (also contains codeine).
Diazepam (also known as Valium) is a sedative.
Temazepam is hypnotic and strong sedative.
Alprazolam ( Xanax) is used to treat severe anxiety and panic attacks and use with other medication in treatment of clinical depression.
Doxylamine is antihistamines with sedative side effects and may be used as a short-term sleep aid.
The side effects of these medication maybe severe respiratory depression and apnea (periods of not breathing) during sleep.
It sounds to me that Heath was medically mismanaged or went to several doctors and obtained similar prescriptions. He shouldn't have been taking all those drugs together. In Australia, Pharmacy's are trying to track peoples medications (that is why we have to produce Medicare Card when purchasing) to prevent over prescribing.
GOODBYE fellow eBlah's .....it sure has been nice meeting yo'all here and I will miss everyone of you
No-one should ever self-medicate or shop around for more than one doctor. People used to Pharmacy hop as well so they could fulfill their need for pain killers they had become addicted to. With the side effects of those drugs/tablets/medications it is obvious when his housekeeper heard him snoring it was because his body was struggling for breath like those with sleep apnea. So sad. I have heard his funeral in Perth is going to be private. They may hold a memorial service for him at another time but with the Celebs and the family's need for calm and privacy the actual funeral and interment of Heath in the family plot will be kept under wraps, IMHO.
Mourners arrive for Ledger memorial Saturday Feb 9 14:36 AEDT
Heath Ledger's family and former partner Michelle Williams have arrived for a memorial service in the acclaimed young actor's hometown of Perth.
An emotional Williams was supported by Ledger's sister Kate as the family arrived for the service in a police escorted convoy of four black BMWs.
Williams, wearing a cream dress with black edging, and the family were the last to arrive ahead of the service for more than 500 mourners at Uniting Church girls' school Penrhos College in Como, south of Perth.
Williams did not bring her daughter with Ledger, two-year-old Matilda, to the service, which will be followed by a private funeral for about 10 family members today.
Australian model Gemma Ward, actors Bryan Brown, Cate Blanchett and Noni Hazelhurst and footballer Ben Cousins were among the celebrities who arrived to farewell Ledger.
Local politicians including WA Opposition Leader Troy Buswell were also among the mourners.
Earlier today, Ledger's father Kim Ledger told journalists the family was grateful for the support they had had from all over the world but wanted to grieve in private.
"I know that a lot of you have travelled from all around the world to take footage of as much as you can of our ceremony for Heath," Mr Ledger earlier told reporters before leaving for the service.
"I just ask you if you wouldn't mind to respect our privacy.
"The funeral will be very, very private. There will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else."
Mr Ledger said the family appreciated the outpouring of grief from around the world.
"It's a pretty sad time and we're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world.
"Having said that we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the world, which, suffice to say, we're luckier than most families, most families that are in our position, our grieving position, don't have that kind of support.
"So thank you all very much. That's all I've got to say."
Ledger, 28, an Oscar nominee in 2006 for Brokeback Mountain, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on January 22.
The New York Medical Examiner's Office ruled Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
The portrait of Heath Ledger entered in 2008 Archibald Prize depicts a haunted image. I wonder if the artist, Vincent Fantauzzo realised how good a job he was doing or is it a matter of what we know now about Heath's fight with 'demons' that makes such an impact?
The Art Gallery of NSW expects up to 700 portraits to be entered for the Archibald Prize and the competition closes on Friday with the winner being announced on March 7. I would like to see Heath's portrait win....
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GOODBYE fellow eBlah's .....it sure has been nice meeting yo'all here and I will miss everyone of you
A salute to motherhood...well I can't think of a better winner for Archibald Prize. At first I thought, Vincent Fantauzzo's portrait of Heath Ledger, was a winner, but thinking back now, I think it is too sad and tragic...better something that makes you happy.
"Mother's heart art wins Archibald"
NOT only the best but the most emotionally daring painting won this year's Archibald Prize.
This is welcome news. In the past, the judges have tended to favour the clever and coolly cerebral over images filled with feeling. If an emotion is gestured at, best that it be melancholic, couched in the consolations of philosophy, rather than genuinely ardent.
Del Kathryn Barton's portrait of herself with her two children isaudacious - and not just aesthetically."
Law, Depp, Farrell step in to finish Ledger film March 11, 2008 - 7:25AM
Work on Heath Ledger's last film, suspended due to his death by accidental overdose in January, has resumed after three Hollywood stars agreed to play his character, director Terry Gilliam said.
Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law will step in to complete Ledger's unfinished role in the movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus which is due for release next year.
"Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology," said the film's producers in a statement.
"Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing."
Gilliam said filming on the British-Canadian production had resumed in Vancouver "with the blessing and support of Heath Ledger's family".
Ledger had just finished shooting scenes for the movie in London before his death. Newspapers have reported that the story involves a magical mirror that takes people into different dimensions, allowing Gilliam to switch between actors.
"I am delighted that Heath's brilliant performance can be shared with the world," Gilliam said.
"We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people's hearts and souls as Heath was able to do."
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is described as a modern-day fantasy adventure and has a budget estimated at $30 million.
We'll look after Matilda, promise Heath's family March 11, 2008 - 10:27AM
Actor Heath Ledger's family have promised to look after his ex-partner and daughter, after the late actor left them out of his will.
The Brokeback Mountain star - who died of an accidental drug overdose in January - left his entire estate to his parents and three sisters in the document reported to have been drawn up in Australia in April 2003.
Ledger made the will before he met actress Michelle Williams, who gave birth to their daughter Matilda Rose, now two.
Ledger's father Kim promised to provide for Williams and Matilda.
"Matilda is our absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family.
"They will be taken care of and that is how Heath would want it to be," he said.
Ledger's representative, Mara Buxbaum, added: "The story is getting taken out of context and the media is speculating that this means Matilda and Michelle will not be taken care of. I want to make it very clear nothing could be farther from the truth."
A series of documents filed in the Manhattan Surrogate Court revealed Ledger had less than $US145,000 ($158,000) in New York assets at the time the will was written, including a $US25,000 Toyota Prius hybrid car and $US20,000 in furniture and fixtures.
However, the true size of his estate is believed to be much larger, and is thought to include the Brooklyn townhouse he shared with Williams during their relationship, which ended last year, as well as any property and savings located in Australia.
The bulk of the estate will be handled in Australia. The I'm Not There actor's lawyer Harry Corn asked a judge to seal all documents relating to the case to protect the privacy of his family.
Court documents also revealed the Ledger family spent $US39,000 with the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home on his memorial service in Perth, including $US25,000 on his casket and $US450 for 40 certified copies of his death certificate.
This highlights the need to have a Will and to keep it updated, especially when a new baby enters the family. Not all families would be as well balanced and nice as the Ledger's. Imagine if Britney Spears died without a Will!?! It would be eaten up with legal fees because everyone would be wanting a piece of the action. I have a Will, ever since my son was 13-14. My updated one came into effect in 2002 after my 2nd husband and I were finished and my kids were both adults.... not that I have any money to leave,
This highlights the need to have a Will and to keep it updated, especially when a new baby enters the family. Not all families would be as well balanced and nice as the Ledger's. Imagine if Britney Spears died without a Will!?! It would be eaten up with legal fees because everyone would be wanting a piece of the action. I have a Will, ever since my son was 13-14. My updated one came into effect in 2002 after my 2nd husband and I were finished and my kids were both adults.... not that I have any money to leave,
So true, every year I keep saying I must update mine and time just goes by and I don't. Not that I need to make any great changes, but there is someone I do want to have more taken care of since the last writing.
Logged
Think it's time to go back to school Paula 
