 heaths death accidental | |
Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, the US medical examiner has said.
His death was due to "acute intoxication" by the combined effects of six different drugs - ibuprofen, painkiller OxyContin, anti-anxiety medication Xanax and Valium, and sleeping pills Restoril and Unisom.
The Brokeback Mountain star was found dead in his New York apartment on January 22. He was 28.
Announcing the results of toxicology tests, the New York City medical examiner said: "Mr Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine."
Spokeswoman Ellen Borakove wouldn't say what concentrations of each drug were found in Heath's blood. "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together," she said.
When the actor's body was found, police said three types of drugs found in his apartment had been prescribed in Europe. It is not known whether these same drugs played a part in his death.
The star's family always maintained that his death was accidental.
In a statement released today (Wednesday), Heath's father, Kim, said: "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."
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