Wednesday
06Aug2008
Investigation into Ledger's Death Officially Closed
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:51PM 
Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan and
the DEA had been investigating whether or not the painkillers found in
Heath Ledger's system when he died were legally
obtained. Late Wednesday afternoon, the prosecutors
closed
their investigation into the death of the
Dark Knight star because "they don't believe
there's a viable target," according to an anonymous official within the
attorney's office.
Opting not to pursue a criminal case into how Ledger came
into possession of the oxycodone and hydrocodone (OxyContin and Vicodin), which
DEA officials believe were proffered with fake prescriptions or possibly other
illegal means, lets
Mary-Kate Olsen off the hook as a witness.
Earlier this week, Olsen said she would testify only under
the condition of immunity from prosecution herself, but had been served with a
subpoena, meaning she could have been forced to testify anyway, and may still be
legally obligated to take the stand should new evidence emerge and the case is
re-opened.
Her attorney, Michael C. Miller, said that Olsen had
already cooperated in the investigation, telling the government that she "does
not know the source of the drugs Mr. Ledger consumed."
The whole Mary-Kate angle is bizarre, to say the least.
According to investigators, when Ledger's masseuse found his body in his New
York apartment, Olsen was called three times over the course of nine minutes
before the masseuse dialed 911. Olsen was contacted again after paramedics
arrived. At some point during this period, Olsen called her personal security
detail in New York and requested they head to Ledger's apartment.
As for the now-closed case, other potential witnesses did
not demand immunity, including visitors to his apartment, doctors, and his
ex-fiancée
Michelle Williams, all of whom answered
questions voluntarily.An autopsy revealed that Ledger died from a dangerous cocktail of multiple drugs, including legally prescribed anti-anxiety medication and sleeping pills. His death was ruled an accidental overdose.
Reader Comments (3)
There's just something about this whole thing that seems wrong that it's closed-- the dialing to Mary-Kate before the cops (hmm "wrongful death" charge anyone?), Mary-Kate demanding immunity and then days later, BAM, it's closed. Whether or not she was in any way responsible is not the point-- or not until it's proven and then, it's a different story altogether!!! But I think Ledger deserves better (or if not for his sake, then his family's). As someone who lost a dear friend earlier in the year under equally ambiguous and frighteningly similar circumstances, it's the "not knowing" that keeps haunting me.
Hmm, wish we could send Tony Shalhoub's Adrian Monk on the case...
I don't think there's any intent or negligence behind Ledger's death, only a series of unfortunate circumstances.
The rich and famous don't need to forge presciptions, they have numbers to call.
I would be looking at the masseuse for a few things. i mean why would you call some girlfriend instead of paramedcs first.there is something wrong there.