Actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including painkillers, tranquilisers and sleeping aids, officials said on Wednesday. “We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications,” the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office said in a statement.Australian-born Ledger (28), renowned for his role as a conflicted gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on January 22, naked and with several prescription drugs nearby.His death shocked film fans and fellow actors around the world and added his name to the list of movie stars who died young like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.An autopsy the day after his death proved inconclusive pending tissue and toxicology tests, the results of which results were released on Wednesday.“Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine,” the statement said.Oxycodone, which is often abused, and hydrocodone are painkillers. Diazepam and alprazolam are anti-anxiety medicines. Diazepam is sold under the brand name Valium and alprazolam is sold under the name Xanax.Temazepam is a sleep aid sold under the name Restoril. Doxylamine, a sleep aid and antihistamine, is an active ingredient in a number of over-the-counter medications, including NyQuil.
