Ledger's Family Keeps Funeral A Mystery

Jan. 26, 2008 — -- Four days after Heath Ledger's shocking death, preparations are under way to take him to his final resting place.

Despite enormous public interest, Ledger's family is keeping funeral arrangements private. They arrived in Manhattan yesterday for a viewing at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home, where Ledger's body had been taken.

Fans of the "Brokeback Mountain" star lined the streets and paparazzi snapped away over eerie silence as Ledger's coffin was seen being taken out of the funeral home around 4pm yesterday. No word has been given yet on where it was taken.

On Friday, actress Mary-Kate Olsen, who has been embroiled in the tragedy, released her first statement on Ledger's death.

"Heath was a friend. His death is a tragic loss. My thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time," Olsen said in a statement released through her representative.

Upon finding Ledger's lifeless body Tuesday, Ledger's massage therapist called Olsen three times before dialing 911, according to police. She then called Olsen again after the 911 call, police said.

Police said the masseuse, Diane Wolozin, spent nine minutes repeatedly ringing the 21-year-old actress before calling authorities for help.

The masseuse called Olsen a fourth time after paramedics arrived -- at the same time as Olsen's security guards.

Though authorities believe Ledger, 28, was already dead by time Wolozin arrived, the calls shed light on the events surrounding the actor's death and his relationship with Olsen. An unnamed source told People magazine that the two "were casually dating for three months before Heath's death," and that they "had a bond that was based on partying."

Police insist they have no interest in interviewing Olsen.

"Good Morning America" aired statements from Ledger's father, Kim, and sister, Kate.

"We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from wherever you were in the world," Kate's statement read.

Ledger's father lamented the loss of a great son and chess partner.

"My beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young … no more chess games mate … this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!" his statement read.

Ledger's former fiancee Michelle Williams clutched their 2-year-old daughter, Matilda, as she returned to the Brooklyn townhouse that she once shared with the "Brokeback Mountain" star Wednesday night.

Williams appeared drawn and tired as she emerged from a large black SUV. She had rushed back from Sweden, where she was filming a movie, after learning of Ledger's death.

Outside the building there were tributes to Ledger, including a teddy bear that had a note reading, "Stay strong. Just Remember he loved you and your baby very much."

Williams did not speak to the horde of reporters and photographers before she hurried into her home.

Questions Surround Death

Ledger was found in bed in his rented SoHo loft Tuesday with several bottles of prescription drugs nearby. A preliminary autopsy completed Wednesday was unable to determine what killed the actor.

Police told ABC News that the medications may have played a part in the death, which appeared to be accidental.

There were six different types of prescription drugs in the room, including pills to treat insomnia and anxiety, and an antihistamine, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

A rolled-up $20 bill was found on the floor near the bed, but New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said lab tests found nothing to indicate the bill had been used to snort drugs. Police also said no illegal drugs were found in the apartment.

Authorities believe it will take about 10 days and additional tests to determine Ledger's cause of death.

Ledger's body was discovered Tuesday afternoon by Wolozin, who arrived at the apartment for an appointment with him, police said. Wolozin was let in by Ledger's housekeeper, Teresa Solomon.

Solomon said she went into Ledger's bedroom and heard him snoring Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. Wolozin arrived around 2:45 p.m., called Ledger's cellphone and knocked on his bedroom door, but got no answer. When she opened the door, she found him naked, face-down and unresponsive.

Wolozin proceeded to use Ledger's phone to repeatedly call Olsen. Olsen said she would send members of her private security team to the residence, according to reports released by police. Wolozin then called 911.

Paramedics arrived at 3:33 p.m., according to the timeline released by police. Three minutes later, Ledger was pronounced dead. Authorities told The New York Post they believe Ledger had already been dead for hours.

Hollywood, Loved Ones React

News of Ledger's death hit Hollywood fast.

News of Ledger's death came just as model Helena Christensen was on her way to visit him, she told Women's Wear Daily. Christensen, who was rumored have hooked up with Ledger this past fall following his split from Williams, told the fashion publication: "My heart goes out to his family. I am just beyond sad at this point, and shocked.

"I was on my way over to pay him a visit when I found out. I had just left him a message and heard his voice on the machine," she continued. "He was such a special and genuine person, so extraordinarily talented because he was so raw and honest with his feelings. He was so full of life, so electric. ? This is immensely sad."

Lee Daniels, who produced the critically acclaimed "Monster's Ball" in which Ledger starred, strongly disputed any notion that Ledger had a drug problem.

"The definition of substance abuse is really up to one's perspective," Daniels said. "I didn't see him as a drug addict. I saw him as someone who enjoyed life. I know drug addicts; he was not a drug addict."

He said that he saw Ledger a couple months ago and that he was in great spirits. "He was in a good mood, he was in a great place. ? He was excited about living in New York."

Two hours after his death was first reported, Nicole Kidman, who hails from Ledger's home country of Australia, released a statement to reporters saying, "What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family."

The superintendent of the Ledger's apartment building, Tamba Mossa, told ABCNEWS.com that Ledger had "been renting the apartment for about four months" but he didn't know who owned the loft. Mossa added that he was surprised to learn about Ledger's death, saying the actor had always been "very nice" and would often go on walks with his young daughter.

Tributes from fans quickly accumulated in front of the downtown Manhattan building. A small display of flowers and candles were set up outside the apartment along with farewell notes. One message addressed to the star of "Ten Things I Don't Like About You" read, "I couldn't find anything bad about you."

Promising Career Cut Short

Ledger is probably best known for starring in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," about two cowboys who fall in love. He earned Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for that role.

Later this year, Ledger is slated to appear as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," the latest film in the Batman franchise. In a November interview with The New York Times, he revealed how he'd thrown himself into the role, saying, "Last week, I probably slept an average of two hours a night. … I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.''

According to the newspaper, he was taking the sleep medication Ambien to get rest, but to no avail. And according to celebrity news service TMZ.com, Ledger was ill at the time of his death.

"We know he had pneumonia," managing editor Harvey Levin told ABC News' "Nightline."

There had been other reports of drug use, and some say his appearance had been slipping lately.

"Unkempt would be the word that would come to people's mind," said Us Weekly editor in chief Janice Min. "You know that could be the sign of an eccentric actor or maybe the sign of something amiss."

Ledger may be the second young actor to die from drug-related causes in 2008. On Jan. 15, actor Brad Renfro, 25, was found dead in his Los Angeles home. Though his cause of death has yet to be determined, he had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and had been arrested multiple times for drug possession.

Additional reporting contributed by Richard Esposito, Russell Goldman and The Associated Press.