Ledger's autopsy 'inconclusive'
Police are investigating the possibility of a drug overdose. The woman who found his body called actress Mary-Kate Olsen before dialing 911.
NEW YORK — It will take up to two weeks to determine the cause of Heath Ledger's death, the New York City Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday, but police were investigating the possibility of a drug overdose as additional details emerged about the discovery of the 28-year-old actor's body.
Authorities said a rolled-up $20 bill was found near Ledger's body on the floor of his loft, and that one of the women who discovered him had phoned actress Mary-Kate Olsen before she called authorities.
New York police said masseuse Diana Wolozin, who had an appointment to give Ledger a massage at his Soho loft, called Olsen in California using the actor's cellphone, knowing that she was a friend of his, and only after a second conversation with the actress did she call 911 at 3:26 p.m. to report that Ledger was unresponsive.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said no illegal drugs were found in the spacious loft and that no drug residue was visible on the rolled-up $20 bill.
On Tuesday, a police spokesman at the scene reported that sleeping pills were found near the bed and other prescription drugs were in the bathroom, reportedly including antidepressants, but that there was no sign of foul play and no note.
An autopsy Wednesday proved "inconclusive," the city medical examiner said. Authorities said they would have to wait 10 days to two weeks for the results of toxicology and tissue tests to find out what killed the actor, who won acclaim for his portrayal of a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain."
On Wednesday, Det. Brian Sessa provided a timeline of how Ledger's body was discovered:
* At about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, housekeeper Teresa Solomon arrived to clean the apartment on Broome Street. Half an hour later, while changing a bathroom lightbulb, she saw Ledger facedown on his bed and heard him snoring.
* Ledger did not come out of the bedroom when the masseuse arrived at 2:45 p.m., so Wolozin called his cellphone, apparently to wake him, and got no response. Entering the bedroom, the masseuse started setting up her table, but the actor did not wake when she stirred him.
* Wolozin then speed-dialed Olsen using Ledger's phone to report that the actor was unconscious, and Olsen called a security firm in New York. Soon after, the masseuse phoned Olsen again to say that Ledger remained unconscious. She then called 911.
- Heath Ledger's death ruled accidental overdose Feb 07, 2008
- Heath Ledger's death ruled accidental overdose Feb 07, 2008
- Warner Bros.' tough balancing act for a Ledger Oscar campaign Dec 06, 2008
