OlderHeath’s Family Found Out From the Media
Heath Ledger’s family is reeling after learning of the actor’s death from the media today, reports In Touch.
Family friend and private investigator Paul Barresi spoke to Heath’s uncle Neil Bell today. Bell is in his early 60s and was, Heath’s personal assistant, confidante and mentor.
“The last thing that Heath would want to do is throw it all away. He was very happy living in New York, ” Bell told Barresi. “His mother and father (in Australia) heard of his death on the news. We are all devastated. The whole family is devastated over his death, and more so over having to learn of his death from the media.”
Bell recalled, “Ever since Heath was a little boy, all he ever dreamt of was becoming an actor. Heath knew at a very young age that acting was his destiny and purpose.”
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87 Comments
damn
awwwwwwww
F Intouch!
This is soooooo sad.
That is really so friggin’ terrible.
The upside and downside of being related to someone famous. I feel for those who loved him, and am sorry to see him pass.
Awww… that would be devastationg to find out your son died by hearing it on the news.
Its seems so surreal.I am stunned as it was so unexpected.
My thoughts are with Michelle ,Matilda and Family
May he rest in peace. God be with him.
this is horrible. the poor family
im so fuckng sadddddddd
poor the familyyyy
Oh man,
What a way to find out your son’s dead.
I reeaaally liked him. Rest in peace Heath.
hope he’s somewhere better.
This is awful. It doesn’t matter how his family found out. He was so talented. Such a loss! RIP, Heath…
*sigh*
That is terrible!
Would the police not call his parents or someone in his family first?
i am sooooo regret to his family.My condolences.
ouch, thats horrible
please tell me it’s not real….
Grizzly, Grumpy, and High
All one person.
Not that doing drugs is any kind of shocker but a supposed family man? A serious actor? Settled down and severe? Apparently what happens in Toronto stays in Toronto.
So as I’m sure you know, celebrities don’t procure their own happy substances. That’s what wranglers are for. Go-t0-guys and girls assigned to the task of purchasing the poison and getting it into the hands of the stars who want it.
Popular local hot spot, A list actor is itching for some action. His runner is dispatched on the errand and comes back with more than enough to satisfy a five member rock band. But on this night, only one knight is the user, and according to my source – lock tight at that – he did s0 much blow it’s a wonder he hasn’t died from a heart attack.
Which explains the Jekyll & Hyde behaviour. Super accommodating one day, sullen and snarky the next. Method acting perhaps… but still, if I were the woman in his life, I’d probably keep a closer eye.
Just a suggestion…
i keep on wishing that everything is make up..or its a dream im in.=(
The police should of called his family and told them but keep in mind with the media things spread pretty quick. So sad
I still cant belive it…
:/
RIP Heath Ledger, such sad news. My prayers goes out to his family and especially to his little daughter Matilda
I CAN’T BELIVE !
oh my gosh,
thats so unfortunate.
RIP HEATH.
my prayers go out to his loved ones.
This is all incredibly sad
I’m still in complete shock.
My God, if we feel so sad just imagine the pain his family is feeling, I cannot believe this is happening, I just pray for his soul and his family specially his little girl, is so crazy just a week after Brad Renfro died, I just hope this was really an accident,
RIP Heath, you were a great actor
this is sooo sad
i can’t believe it!
=(
RIP
This may sound crass but now we’re going to be subjected to weeks and maybe months of ‘poor little Matilda’ and ‘Heath’s secret life’ by ET, First Edition, UsWeekly, etc. And we’ll all stay tuned.
that’s terrible
my prayers are with him
and i know people who are making fun of him
after finding out he was dead
********
He was so talented…reminded me of James Dean. My heart goes out to his family and his little daughter who will never know her father. Rest in peace…God Bless…..
That is so sad and horrible.
A news report actually brought this up but more about Michelle Williams how she quite possibly could have heard about it first from some sort of blog or news bulletin.
The life of a person in the limelight….
Wow, poor family.
———————————————————————————————
My Dec. 2007 prediction for Heath Ledger:
http://www.celebpsychic.blogspot.com
This is so incredibly devastating. R.I.P. Heath. You will be terribly missed.
Wow, can you imagine finding out that your child had died on the news? Sad.
oh my GOD, I cant believe this… so sudden I just can’t believe it.. he was just shooting a movie earlier… I really hope this is all NOT TRUE…
this is just so sad, he was so young, and a great actor.
my prayers go out to his family and friends.
I don’t know what it was about Heath but he always looked a lil sad for me. It was always in his eyes and I read a few years back that this girl was at a party that he was at, he sat all alone & when their eyes connected, all she saw was sadness. I think he really was depressed, his girlfriend left him a year ago, he was living all alone and all he had was work. They say that money can’t buy happiness and obviously it’s true. Owen Wilson commited suicide last year and I never would have suspected that coming from him either. RIP Heath… when i saw his pic a few minutes ago, it was something in his eyes that kinda looked like he’s finally at peace. RIP
terrible way to find out.
That is so sad.
I feel sooo sad
this is sooo sad…his a family man ,my pity goes to his loved ones whom he left behind…
Rest in peace
It’s a tragedy!!! I can’t believe yet. I feel so sad!!!!
That is really really disgusting! Imagine finding out about the death of a loved one over the radio………..F%*#%N ********!!!!!!!!!!!! Where’s the respect??? >:o(
……………………………..I’m Still in Shock!!!…………………………….
I dont know, i just can’t believe it! (i dont want to believe it )
:(((
Sad enough to lose a son, a brother, a friend or lover, but how shocking and traumatic to learn about it via the media.
In the media’s defense, it is their job to report the news, not to make sure the family has been notified. And in the media frenzy that was taking place outside his apartment building, they were just doing what pays their bills.
It is the police or medical examiner’s responsibility to notify the next of kin. I know first hand from a brother who died alone in his apartment. It was a police detective who called me and that was only because I was on the “emergency contact” list for his landlord. Maybe they didn’t know who his parents were or where to find them?
Nonetheless, a very sad day for the family of Heath Ledger and those who were close to him. They are in my prayers tonight. May he RIP.
I still can’t believe it. It’s so sad. I’m sad. Doesn’t seem real.
My heart goes out to his family & loved ones, esp. his little girl.
I am so sad for this coz I remember watching him on home and away and so do all the other Australians out there probably
Everything about this tragedy is heartbreaking.
Court I remember watching him on Home and Away too….I’m in the UK. His character was a surfer dude, I think Sam took up with him.
I have heard about it all day and I still can’t not believe it. He was so young and soooo talented. i would hate to have my family find out like that. They should have learned about it first before the media.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his lovely little daughter Matilda. She was such a daddy girls. My heart goes out to her.
I dont want to quit you.
and read the mean stuff you all said about the way he dresses and its sad
God bless! He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his grieving family. All I have to add is WHY?
First thing that crossed my mind is “that absolutely sucks to find out your child died via the media” then I thought well at least you know. So many parents don’t ever get confirmation of their child’s death. Poor people - they won’t get a moments rest tonight or anytime soon til they see their boy and have him laid to rest.
Then I thought “why the F**k didn’t the NYPD call his parents immediately?” then it damned on me - just because they are the police does not mean the have everyone in the world’s phone number on speed dial and can call up loved one’s immediately. They have to find the family, find the phone number and unfortunately the media is faster at that and takes pleasure in it.
So sad : (
There’s an unwriten rule that the media’s supose to wait until the family’s been told. It’s F*%#ING common courtesy.
And enough with the addiction talk already, he was on anti-anxiety prescription pills, probably didn’t realize the incredible danger and risk in (over) self-medicating.
He was a family man in a very stressful line of work. We don’t need rumors about presonal drug runners.
May he rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family….
Thats what drugs do to you. Make you forget about your goals and hopes for the future.
R.I.P.
i still cant believe hi is dead…
let him rest in peace
Alena @ 01/22/2008 at 11:40 pm So sad : (
There’s an unwriten rule that the media’s supose to wait until the family’s been told. It’s F*%#ING common courtesy.
And enough with the addiction talk already, he was on anti-anxiety prescription pills, probably didn’t realize the incredible danger and risk in (over) self-medicating.
He was a family man in a very stressful line of work. We don’t need rumors about presonal drug runners.
May he rest in peace
__________________
How the hell would they know if the family had been notified? You can’t be serious to use today’s media/papz and common courtesy in the same sentence? Just think about it! They are making their living out shooting photos which websites will buy and people WILL watch and money will be made.
May not be a pretty scenario but it is the one that we are all helping to perpetuate by making movie stars into demi-gods that are worshipped. We are part of that world, by the very nature of writing about it now.
I do feel bad for his family, understand that. But, the shutterbugs aren’t going to keep their jobs if they didn’t do their jobs.
Unfortunately, this will be Anna Nicole-like coverage for weeks…..
May his family find some peace.
May his soul rest in peace. How tragic, another beautiful life wasted.
What a terrible way to have your life turned upside down. Devastating for the poor family.
Lainey outdid herself today in being despicable. 0n her site she was practically gloating that she had some riddle a few weeks ago, and yes it was about Heath, (i suppose she was referencing the fact that prescription pills were found near his body). These gossip bloggers have no shame. Even Perez Hilton seemed contrite. He posted an excerpt from a NYT interview with Heath in which he said when he is involved in a role he sometimes have trouble falling, and staying asleep, and sometimes uses sleeping aides.
i don’t know if this young man had drug problems or not, but we have a saying in my country “You don’t speak ill of the dead”.
May he rest in peace, and although his family would not see this, my condolences go out to them.
Truly a great actor. You will be very missed.
RIP Heath.
You are the reason BBM was a masterpiece.
Deepest sympathy to Heath’s family especially and daughter.
# 54 Alena @ 01/22/2008 at 11:40 pm So sad : (
There’s an unwriten rule that the media’s supose to wait until the family’s been told. It’s F*%#ING common courtesy.
And enough with the addiction talk already, he was on anti-anxiety prescription pills, probably didn’t realize the incredible danger and risk in (over) self-medicating.
He was a family man in a very stressful line of work. We don’t need rumors about presonal drug runners.
May he rest in peace.
____________________
Ambien is a sleeping pill that only lasts about three hours, not an anti-anxiety drug like a benzo. In an interview in November, he discussed his use of Ambien. How do you know about the other drug that he was taking? Plus it has been reported that he has been seen at the Party Scene and you don’t mix booze with benzo’s with much luck for very long.
He was a father, but does that mean he was a family man? We’d like to immortalize him, I know…..but we don’t ever know what is going on in a man’s head. He was in England until the weekend. Baby gurl is with Mommy not in New York this weekend - so how much of a family man was he really? From the reports from the media who had the opportunity to work with him, it sounds like he was a troubled man in the last year of his life. I pray for him tonight.
It’s tragic, but it is what it is… I say let the man rest in peace, also.
island girl @ 01/23/2008 at 12:16 am
ITAWY. The police would have to find out how to contact his relatives and they were in AUS, not in USA. The news/bloggers have no obligation to contact anyone, they compete to get the word out the fastest. Look at TMZ, just blogging away.
Yes, get ready for ANS coverage all day every day for weeks. The family will have no peace for a while, no quiet and private space to mourn.
i still cannot believe that heath is really dead…..my sincere apologies to his family for my quick ass/pre/sumption of him being a spoiled celeb….
it is just so sad that he didn’t have a chance to seek help w/ his problem/depression w/c symptoms are lack of sleep, drug use, etc…
ITAWE that this is an accidental death and nothing else….it is just a tragedy that it happened…my goodness…he is too young….i feel really really bad for his daughter, for michelle and for his family….learning of his death thru the vultures (media and papz)….the assumption and presumption of the cause of his death….this is really a tragedy….the same thing that happened to that young actor Renfro….
being famous and having so much money really suck especially if you believe in all the hype and surrounded by enablers, groupies and hangers on….oh my….i can’t still believe it….poor Matilda, Michelle and his parents, who lost a father, a lover/friend, and a young son respectively, so early…
Heath, may you find peace at last….
How terribly sad, this is.Just terrible. I feel so bad. I didn’t even know him, but I admired him and when I watched his interviews, I liked him.
It doesn’t seem real to me. Like, maybe I’ll wake up and it didn’t happen.
I hope whatever pain he was dealing with is gone now and he is at peace.. Regardless of the manner in which he passed it’s still a tragic loss..
He was a Father to a precious little girl who will be the most affected by this.. she has lost her daddy!!
We as the public have lost a wonderful talent who was about to Skyrocket. He could have been so much … It makes me sad that we have lost another one to soon and so young..
Please Rest in Peace Heath …
My thoughts and prayers are with your Baby Daughter and your family..
May your soul rest in Peace.
technology today can be bittersweet. I mean , remember when things were slow..no cell phones, no you tube, no internet ,no cnn and dont get me wrong i dont know what i would do without todays tech now . Its just can be so heartless..What u got to do live in the boonies somewhere to not find out your famous son is dead on tv. that family will probably never watch tv or listened to the radio again. i know people r doing the jobs, but what happened to common curtesy- this fast paced world
my prayers are with this family..so awful at the beginning of the year
According to people who knew him, Heath did not do drugs and despite his troubled appearance he was actually a very content and likable man. He was not comfortable with the fame he achieved at an early age and had a difficult relationship with the press. The view of many is that he was a kind, generous and down to earth person who died of a tragic accident.
I’m disappointed with the news media!!! they should have waited until the proper authorities informing his mother and father (in Australia) about their son death. My condolences to Heath’s family.
Rest in Peace
Heathcliff Andrew Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008)
My condolence for the whole family. Especially for Matilda.
so basically his parents and the rest of Australia found out of his death in the same time
tragic
It is so Tragic that Heath passed away, I am still coming to terms with it, I was just shocked beyond belief. He was at the height of his career, with the new Batman movie coming out. I will always remember him in 10 things I hate about you and Lords of Dogtown. I think the new Batman movie, in which he plays Joker, will be cool to see him playing a Villian and tragically it will be the last movie we will see him in. R.I.P Heath. Good Aussie bloke. Good actor. Another young life gone.
What a terrible thing to find your son is dead from the media. May he rest in peace
SO SAD,MY CONDOLENCES ARE WITH ALL OF HEATH’S FOLLOWERS!
that is the most horrible way to find out. i cant think of anything worse to be honest.
I think it’s awful that no one (cops, hospital, etc) could take the time to call Heath’s family and that they had to find out on the news?!? Classless!
I love you Heath R.IP ***
Why WHy Why Why Why!!!!!!!!!
I only wish it is just a dream. Could we turn back the clock ?
oh my… I’m actually crying!!
my condolences to the family. but this is extremely sad. And its such a shock. he was a talented actor. and really liked his movies esp. 10 things i hate about you. i just want to watch it over and over again. r.i.p Heath.
life is just too short
What a horrible way for them to find out…Really sad
i believe it was terrible for them.
please tell me it’s not realI CAN’T BELIVE noooooooooooooooo
i still can bilieve that heath let us alone. ican’t believe that he died it’s very very very sad to know when i watch his movies i am thinking that he is a terible lost!!!
HEATH ILL BE MISSING YOU.
Happy 29th B-Day,Heath!
Wish you were here
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