Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills, the New York City medical examiner's office said Tuesday.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the office said in a short statement.

"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."

Hydrocodone and oxycodone are painkillers. Diazepam is an anti-anxiety drug commonly sold under the brand name Valium; alprazolam is also an anti-anxiety drug, sold under such names as Xanax. Temazepam, sold under such names as Restoril and Euhypnos, is a sleeping agent, as is doxylamine.

Ledger died January 22 at an apartment in Lower Manhattan. The Oscar-nominated Australian actor, best known for his role as a stoic, closeted cowboy in the 2005 film "Brokeback Mountain," was 28.

An autopsy done on the actor January 23 was inconclusive. Interactive: A look back at Heath Ledger's life »

In a statement released through Ledger's publicist, Ledger's father, Kim, said Wednesday: "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."

Sad. I am glad his daughter will know that he didn't kill himself though.

This is EXACTLY what my sister said happened when he was first discovered dead. She is a Pharmacy Tech and when she heard the medications that he had, she immediately said that combination of medication is what killed him, not a super drug overdose. She knew he didn't do it on purpose, and thought it was so sad that he was prescribed all those medications at once since it was a lethal combination.

This is EXACTLY what my sister said happened when he was first discovered dead. She is a Pharmacy Tech and when she heard the medications that he had, she immediately said that combination of medication is what killed him, not a super drug overdose. She knew he didn't do it on purpose, and thought it was so sad that he was prescribed all those medications at once since it was a lethal combination.

I thought the same. I am also glad his daughter will know it was not on purpose.:sadeyes

Very very sad, but I'm glad it was not a suicide.

This is EXACTLY what my sister said happened when he was first discovered dead. She is a Pharmacy Tech and when she heard the medications that he had, she immediately said that combination of medication is what killed him, not a super drug overdose. She knew he didn't do it on purpose, and thought it was so sad that he was prescribed all those medications at once since it was a lethal combination.

Same as Traci....I told my DB that it was another case of Daniel Smith (Anna Nicole's son). I'm still shocked....so sad. He was one of the male stars I was looking forward to seeing aged. He would have aged like a fine wine.

I suspected it was simply an accident. A tragic, sad accident :sadeyes

He was one of my favorite actors...I am stoked to see him play the joker in the new batman movie though

I'm so glad it's come out that he wasn't a drug addict or a suicide. So many just don't know the dangers about combinations of certain drugs. It's still such a sad accident :(

How sad :(
Im glad that it was finally ruled accidental.

I'm glad it was ruled as an accident as well. He was a well respected actor and he was SO young and talented!!! Sad situation for sure!!!

She knew he didn't do it on purpose, and thought it was so sad that he was prescribed all those medications at once since it was a lethal combination.


Do you really think one doctor would have prescribed him all of those medications at once though? I mean, I have no idea, but to me it sounds like a lot, especially the multiple painkillers. Seems like the father is trying to make it sound like that, but the ME's office said it was ABUSE of prescription drugs--like perhaps he was doctor shopping to get more than he was supposed to have. Still a tragic accident if that was the case, but a preventable and not unforseeable one if he was taking those kind of risks.

This is EXACTLY what my sister said happened when he was first discovered dead. She is a Pharmacy Tech and when she heard the medications that he had, she immediately said that combination of medication is what killed him, not a super drug overdose. She knew he didn't do it on purpose, and thought it was so sad that he was prescribed all those medications at once since it was a lethal combination.

I was the same way. I have never been to medical school but I know full well you shouldn't combine all those together. So sad. :pray