The actor Heath Ledger died accidentally as the result of “acute intoxication” caused by his abuse of six different prescription drugs including oxycodone and hydrocodone, a Wednesday report by the New York City Chief Medical Examiner said.
Ledger died of “the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine,” Ellen Borakove, spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office, said in a brief news release.
“We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications.”
Oxycodone and hydrocodone are narcotic painkillers. The other four drugs have sedative effects and are used to treat a variety of symptoms including insomnia and the anxiety that accompanies clinical depression.
Ledger, 28, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Brokeback Mountain,” died on Jan. 22 in his New York City apartment, where his body was discovered by his housekeeper after his masseuse showed up for an appointment.
Ledger’s family returned to the actor’s hometown of Perth, Australia on Tuesday to prepare for his funeral. Arrangements were private.
In a statement released through Ledger’s publicist, Ledger’s father, Kim, said Wednesday: “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.”
