Xanax & Valium Found In Heath Ledger’s Home

The rolled-up $20 bill found near Heath Ledger’s body showed no visible signs of drug residue on it, police said on Wednesday.

And
while no illegal drugs were found in the late actor’s apartment, the
bill was to be taken to a lab for further testing, according to NYPD
Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Additionally, two different anti-anxiety
drugs were found in Heath Ledger’s home, according to various sources
who have spoken with the New York Police Department.

WNBC news (a sister outlet of Access Hollywood) has confirmed that Valium was found at Heath’s bedside, prescribed in his name.

The Daily Telegraph and Australia’s Times Online, claim New York City Police said the prescription pill Alprazolam (better known as Xanax) was found near Heath’s bed. The prescription was reportedly in Heath’s name.

NYPD said Heath’s death could have been caused by a possible drug overdose. They also said pills were not scattered around the room, as reported by some outlets yesterday.

Heath told the New York Times last November, “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night. I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” He goes on to say he took two Ambien pills, which only worked for an hour, as reported by The Associated Press.

Sleeping pills were found in Heath’s home at the time of his death, according to an Associated Press report based on information from the New York Police Department, but it is not clear whether or not these pills were Ambien.

The possibility of Ambien being present in Heath’s home at the time of his death, has prompted Ambien to release the following statement to Access:

“We are saddened to hear about the death of Heath Ledger. At this time, we have no information regarding the role of Ambien or any other drugs in this case and to our knowledge there has not yet been any determination regarding the cause of his death.
Therefore, it would be inappropriate for us to speculate on what might or might not have happened. It is very important to remember that when taken as prescribed by healthcare professional, Ambien is a safe treatment for insomnia,” said a spokesperson for Ambien.

“As with all medications, it is important that patients only take Ambien as directed by their physician and as described in the prescribing information. The U.S. prescribing information contains important information about the safety, effectiveness and appropriate use of the product,” adds the spokesperson.

As reported earlier this morning, Heath’s autopsy was inconclusive. Further toxicology and tissue tests will be performed, with final results taking up to two weeks, according to the medical examiner.