With the shocking news of Heath Ledger's death yesterday at the age of 28, family, friends and fans are still trying to cope with the loss and how it happened. His father, Kim Ledger, said his son's death was "tragic, untimely and accidental."
Ledger was found by his housekeeper and masseuse early Tuesday morning, and police initially said it appeared to be an accidental drug overdose. The medical examiners office stated today that an autopsy was inconclusive, and it would take about 10 days to complete the investigation.
Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in his Oscar nonimated role as a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain", said "working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life," and called his death a "heartbreaking" ending to a superb acting career and life.
Ledger got his start in teen movies like the 1999 "10 Things I Hate About You", and generally favoured grueling, intense roles such as the drug addict in "Candy," and an incarnation of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."