Michelle Williams was on location in Sweden, believed to be with 2-year-old daughter Matilda, when she got the news: Heath Ledger was found dead in New York at age 28.

“She’s devastated,” says a source close to the 27-year-old actress.

Although their three-year relationship didn’t last, Williams and Ledger could always agree that their daughter comes first.

“He was absolutely in love with his daughter,” says another source. “And he really liked what he did [acting]. He spoiled [Matilda] rotten. He was playful and very funny with her.”

The source adds: “I can’t believe Matilda is going to grow up without a dad, without knowing her father. And that Michelle will have to deal with having a daughter who’s lost her father. She’s a survivor. She’ll make it, but it’s going to be hard. Her first concern is going to be Matilda.”

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim Ledger, flanked by his family, released a statement on Australian television.

We, Heath’s family, confirm, the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time.

We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.

Our heart goes out to Heath’s parents, Michelle Williams, and daughter Matilda Rose who is only 2 years old.  Heath will be missed.  This is such a tragic and sad loss.

Just two months ago, The New York Times published an article that seems to shed some light on the shocking death of Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his NYC apartment earlier today with pills strewn all around his body.

“I stressed out a little too much,” Mr. Ledger said.

He tends to do that. He is here in London filming the latest episode of the “Batman”franchise, “The Dark Knight.” (Mr. Bale, as it happens, plays Batman; Mr. Ledger plays the Joker.) It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.

“Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.

Even as he spoke, Mr. Ledger was hard-pressed to keep still. He got up and poured more coffee. He stepped outside into the courtyard and smoked a cigarette. He shook his hair out from under its hood, put a rubber band around it, took out the rubber band, put on a hat, took off the hat, put the hood back up. He went outside and had another cigarette. Polite and charming, he nonetheless gave off the sense that the last thing he wanted to do was delve deep into himself for public consumption. “It can be a little distressing to have to overintellectualize yourself,” is how he put it, a little apologetically.

Ledger had a two year old daughter, Matilda Rose, with actress Michelle Williams.  Williams and Ledger ended their marriage in September 2007.  The two met in 2005 while filming Brokeback Mountain, for which Heath received an Oscar nomination for his role.

An autopsy is scheduled to help resolve the untimely death of Heath Ledger for Wednesday, but it will be weeks at least before we have a conclusive answer as to his passing.

What is known now is that police are saying sleeping pills were found in the room where his body was discovered naked and dead on Tuesday.

Two bottles of sleeping aids were found, it’s being reported, one prescription bottle and one over-the-counter, which would make an accidental overdose more likely. Experts say that it is harder to overdose on just prescription sleeping pills.

Our heart aches for Heath’s little daughter, Matilda, aged 2.

So tragic.

While it remains uncertain if Heath Ledger’s tragic death on Tuesday was the result of an accidental overdose or a suicide….It has now become apparent that the actor kept a substance abuse issue hidden very well. Ledger may have also been suffering from depression.Watch this shocking video of Heath being interviewed just two months ago, and appearing to be clearly under the influence of drugs.

When paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Law enforcement are saying Ledger’s body was found face down on the bedroom floor. There were no visible signs of any trauma. Law enforcement have confirmed prescription sleeping pills were strewn around Heath Ledger’s bed.  It is too early to determine if Ledger’s death was accidental or suicide.
Law enforcement are saying that Heath Ledger’s autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

Read the full story on Heath Ledger’s death here.

See the last photograph of Heath Ledger here.

Heath Ledger was photographed in London on Saturday on the set of his latest movie, “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” The movie, directed by Terry Gilliam, was due to be released next year.

He was found dead today in his apartment in New York. He was 28.  Read the full story about Heath Ledger’s death here.

Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment by police authorities. He was only 28 years old. Ledger was found with pills strewn all around him. The death is being investigated as a drug overdose.

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have a daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger, together. The two split up in September 2007 after three years together.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper, who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there, found him unconscious at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET, according to the New York Times. After receiving no response from the actor after shaking him, they called authorities.

Heath starred in movies such (more…)