Heath Ledger's grieving family gathered outside their West Australia home to read a statement earlier today. Ledger's father Kim, joined by mother Sally and sister Katie thanked everyone for their support and pleaded for privacy to mourn as a family. "We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. (EST)" he said.
"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their kind wishes at this time.
"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure to truly know him.
"He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and unselfish individual who was an extreme inspiration to many.
"Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."
