[Deathwatch] Heath Ledger, actor, 28

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Actor Heath Ledger dies at 28

    * Story Highlights
    * Police: Ledger's housekeeper found him unresponsive in a
Manhattan apartment
    * Ledger was declared dead at about 3:30 p.m.
    * The Academy Award nominated actor was the father of a young
daughter
    * Police: Pills that appear to be over-the-counter sleeping
medication found near bed

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday of a
possible drug overdose in a Lower Manhattan apartment, the New York
Police Department said.

The Academy Award nominated actor was 28.

"Pills were found in the vicinity of the bed," police spokesman Paul
Browne told CNN.

"This is being looked at as a possible overdose, but that is not
confirmed yet."

The pills appeared to be over-the-counter sleeping medication, said
police spokeswoman Barbara Chen.

Ledger was unresponsive when he was found by a housekeeper who had gone
to wake him for an appointment with a masseuse in the Soho apartment,
Browne said.

The apartment is owned by the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, The New York
Times reported.

Ledger was declared dead at about 3:30 p.m., Browne said.

In 2005, the actor played Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain," about
two cowboys who had a secret relationship.

The role earned him the Oscar nomination.

Ledger was born in Perth, Australia. He has a young daughter with
actress Michelle Williams, his co-star in "Brokeback Mountain."

"He was just so respected in the industry," said Kim Serafin, senior
editor of In Touch Weekly.

"It's just horribly tragic. He was just a fine actor and a good person,
so this is horribly sad and very unexpected."

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary