Feb 6, 2008 9:55 pm US/Eastern
Sources: DEA Investigating Ledger's Overdose
Medical Examiner Reveals Actor Died From Deadly Cocktail Of 6 Prescription Meds
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs that included painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, the New York City medical examiner said.
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
The mystery surrounding the death of actor Heath Ledger is over.
In an official statement released by the city medical examiner Wednesday morning, toxicology reports revealed that the 28-year-old died from an "acute intoxication" from the combined effects of six different prescription medications.
"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," medical examiner's spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said in a news release.
Oxycodone and hydrocodone are both painkillers, diazepam and alprazolam are both anti-anxiety drugs, and temazepam and doxylamine are both commonly used for sleep.
"This cocktail the medical examiner has found in Heath Ledger's body is a cocktail of death," said Lawrence Kobilinsky of John Jay College. These six drugs are central nervous system depressants and that means they can result in respiratory problems and cardiac failure.
"These drugs are serious drugs, they are commonly prescribed but in combination they can be very deadly and that proved to be the case."
Law enforcement sources tell CBS 2 the Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating how he acquired the drugs.
The official report from the medical examiner says that "the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."
It was not revealed the concentrations of each drug found in Ledger's system, but his father, Kim Ledger, released a statement saying that his son did not take more medication than he was prescribed.
"While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy," Ledger said. "Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage."
The Australian-born actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in "Brokeback Mountain," was discovered by his masseuse in his SoHo apartment Jan. 22. During his last interview in November, he admitted he was having trouble sleeping while filming the upcoming "Batman" movie in which he plays "The Joker."
Meanwhile, friends and family have been arriving in Perth, Australia, Ledger's hometown where funeral services are taking place this week. A memorial service for Ledger was also held in Los Angeles last weeken for family and friends.
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