The New York City medical examiner’s office announced Wednesday that actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
“Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine,” Ellen Borakave, spokesperson for Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said in a statement.
Heath’s father, Kim Ledger, released a statement following the release of the Medical Examiner’s findings:
“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.”
Dr. Narinder Duggal, a Washington-based medical doctor and clinical pharmacologist said:
“Oxycodone is a painkiller. Hydrocodone is a painkiller similar to morphine. Diazepam is Valium. It is used to treat anxiety and muscle spasms. Temazepam treats anxiety or insomnia (it is a sleep aide). Alprazolam is known as Xanax and it is taken for panic attacks and anxiety. Doxylamine is a sleep aide … All of these drugs have an effect on the brain and they can tell the brain’s automatic breathing sensors to no longer send messages to the body to breathe.”
