Following the news of the late actor’s cause of death, Heath Ledger’s father Kim released the below statement:

We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today’s results put an end to speculation, but our son’s beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts.

While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.

Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.

We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.

At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography.

I feel for the family but this was no accident…if you take that many drugs at once, you know death is a possibility unless you have some kind of Amy Winehouse super-liver. Thank you and good day.

The Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York has concluded his report on the death of Heath Ledger, and has determined the actor died after overdosing on prescription drugs. In a news release, the New York City medical examiner’s spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said:

“Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine.”

Yikes. That sounds like Lindsay Lohan’s medicine cabinet. For the D.A.R.E. kids: oxycodone = hillbilly heroin. So I guess the rumors (I didn’t post any here, but we’ve all heard ‘em) about Heath Ledger being a “junkie” were true? I’m honestly shocked. I expected a few drugs to turn up in the results, but not this many.

I can’t imagine how Michelle Williams must feel right now.

Michelle Williams released the following statement today regarding the death of Heath Ledger. It is the first statement she’s made since Heath’s body was found last Tuesday in a New York City apartment, according to Reuters:

“Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up with the best memories of him.”

Touching stuff.

The story broke that Entertainment Tonight and the Insider will air a video tonight of Heath Ledger at a party inside Hollywood hotspot Château Marmont, and apparently drugs and alcohol play a prominent role. Details are sketchy but the video is almost exactly one year old, and Ledger references then girlfriend Michelle Williams.

“I’m gonna get so much shit from my girlfriend,” Ledger is seen saying in the video. When asked why, Ledger replies, “We have a baby together … Matilda, Matilda Rose.”

Ledger was said to battle an addiction to heroin and other drugs for years, but it’s not believed any of those things contributed to his death one week ago. And as of now, it’s not clear if the video shows Heath using or handling drugs. So why even bring this up, you might ask? Because Entertainment Tonight and the Insider are vultures.

As foolish as it sounds, Heath Ledger may have died of natural causes. Sources “intimately connected with the investigation” say the actor died — not from an overdose — but from a heart attack. TMZ says:

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.

The sources went on to say, “welcome to the year 1241, where 28 year olds in the prime of life drop dead. We suspect sorcery! Crow fly from moon, bring evil!” Then the TV came on and they threw it on the ground and cracked it open with some rocks sharpened to a simple yet effective cutting tool.

A Best Buy in San Diego is using Heath Ledger’s death as a chance to push DVDs. See this is why I’m a huge fan of Communism. There’s no profit motive so you don’t see stores and individuals (see eBay) cashing in on tragedy to make a quick dollar. You would never see this heartless display in a worker’s paradise. Because they don’t have DVD players. Or electricity. Go Cuba!

A rep for Heath Ledgers family said in a statement today that services for Ledger will remain private and no public memorial or viewing will be held, but did not comment on reports that Ledger will be laid to rest in his hometown of Perth, Australia. People.com says:

“At this time, we will not be releasing any information,” the rep says. “There are no plans for a public service.”

I’ve honestly had this idea for quite some time… when I pass on (I’m sure all of you would mourn), I want my body to be strapped with C-4, pushed from a plane thousands of feet above an ocean, and detonated 100 feet before the impact.

Heath Ledger’s family are saying that Heath’s death was accidental. NYPD also stated last night there was no “obvious indication of suicide.” TMZ reports the NYPD’s current operating theory is the death was an accident. An autopsy will be conducted later today. The following statement was issued by the family:

We, 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 3:30 p.m. U.S. time. We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.

Heath Ledger was in full cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived and was announced dead at the scene. Heath was reportedly suffering from pneumonia, according to TMZ. The pills were over the counter sleeping pills and accidental overdose is not being ruled out.

Heath Ledger died today in his Manhattan apartment. People Magazine stated:

Ledger was found in the bedroom of his Soho apartment around 3:30 p.m. by his housekeeper and a masseuse. Ledger, who was in bed, did not respond when they shook him, and the housekeeper called 911. He was pronounced dead at 3:45 p.m. Authorities said they did not suspect foul play but that pills were found near the body. “There were some drugs found around the body – prescription type drugs,” a police spokesman tells PEOPLE. It’s still unclear whether the death was accidental.

Here are his last pictures: