Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
ME's Office on Heath Ledger's Death: Accidental Overdose
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 6, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 6, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Just a little over two weeks after his death, and as his family prepares to bury him, the NYC medical examiner has given the results of Heath Ledger's toxicology report.
The official word is that the actor died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. A lot of prescription drugs.
The ME's spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, made the following statement: "Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine.'' These are generic names for OxyContin, Valium, Xanax, Restoril and Unisom. (The AP originally reported that Hydrocodone was another name for Ibuprofen, however that is inaccurate and the drug is most commonly marketed as Vicodin.)
Heath’s father, Kim, has released a statement on behalf of the family in response to the Medical Examiner’s findings. He stated, "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." (Read the full statement after the jump.)
Meanwhile, as we approach the release date of his last film, The Dark Knight, it's being reported that the film he was working on, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, will keep him in the picture. The decision was made to keep his performance and "rework the film to accommodate it...out of respect for that performance and in memory of Heath."
Photo via ikarus50's Flickr.
Kim Ledger's 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."
Tagged
autopsy
dark knight
Doctor Parnassus
flickr
heath ledger
Medical Examiner
nyc
The AP
the dark knight
The ME
toxicology report
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
The $1.9 billion project isn't expected to wrap up until 2032.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET
Former NYPD detective held on $1M bail after police say he shot driver on GWB
Officials say retired NYPD detective Victor Romero, 62, killed 46-year-old Koran Irvine in a road rage incident.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Former NYPD detective held on $1M bail after police say he shot driver on GWB
Officials say retired NYPD detective Victor Romero, 62, killed 46-year-old Koran Irvine in a road rage incident.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
MTA suspending bus fare enforcement teams after altercations emerge
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
NYC's horse carriage industry facing potential extinction with Thursday Council vote
By
Catalina Gonella
Jersey City housing development deal expected to send money to schools, city government
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .