Actor Heath Ledger found dead

Police sources told US media that prescription pills were found in the apartment and said signs pointed to either an accidental overdose, or suicide. His family in his native Australia described the death as "accidental".

"We, Heath's family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda," said the actor's father Kim Ledger, reading a statement outside the family home in Perth. "He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment."

"He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual who was extremely inspirational to many."

Ledger was found dead on Tuesday afternoon in an apartment in the posh district of SoHo, a New York police spokesman said. Neighbours said Ledger had been renting the loft apartment for the past several months. An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday.

New York City deputy police commissioner Paul Browne said a masseuse and a housekeeper had discovered the body after the masseuse arrived for an appointment.

"They were waiting for him to come out of the bedroom. When he didn't come out, they checked on him and found the body at the foot of the bed," Browne told reporters.

"There were prescription medications that included sleeping pills that were taken from the apartment. The reports that they were scattered around the body were untrue," said Browne.

"The police department has made no determination as to the cause of death," he said, stressing that police were awaiting the medical examiner's report.

Expressions of sorrow poured in from Sydney to Hollywood.

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said it was "tragic that we have lost one of our nation's finest actors in the prime of his life".

Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK