Heath Ledger Toxicology Results Revealed; Family Responds

Heath Ledger died from a combination of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine, it was revealed today.

Access Hollywood obtained the following statement from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York:

“Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine,” the statement read. “We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications.”

Access Hollywood spoke with Dr. Charles Sophy of New York, who told us:

“All the drugs that were found in Heath’s system are sedatives, and when taken together, they slow down your respiratory system and eventually stop your breathing. In layman’s terms, the drugs that were found in Heath’s system are the following:

Oxycodone: Percoset
Hydrocodone: Codeine
Diazepam: Valium (anti-anxiety)
Temazepam: Restoral (a sleeping aid)
Alprazolam: Xanax (anti-anxiety)
Doxylamine: an over the counter antihistamine”

So why did Heath die? According to Dr. Sophy, he did not die of chronic drug abuse. The fact that it says “acute” means that his death was sudden. He was clearly being treated for something and the way that he used the prescription drugs collided in a tragic result.

The New York Times wrote the following similar descriptions of these drugs, “Oxycodone, a painkiller, is the active ingredient in the prescription drug OxyContin. Hydrocodone, another painkiller, is often combined with acetaminophen, as in the prescription drug Vicodin. Diazepam, sold under the commercial name Valium, is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Temazepam, brand name Restoril, is prescribed in the short term to help patients fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Alprazolam, commonly known under the brand name Xanax, is part of a class of medications called benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Doxylamine, found in Nighttime Sleep Aid, is an antihistamine that causes drowsiness as a side effect and is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. (It is also used, in combination with decongestants, to relieve cough and cold symptoms.)”

In response to the Medical Examiner’s findings, Heath’s father, Kim, released a statement on behalf of the Ledger family.

“We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today’s results put an end to speculation, but our son’s beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts. While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.

“Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.

“We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.

“At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography.”