Ledger's Family Found Out About Tragedy from the Media
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WENN.com
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
HOLLYWOOD - Heath Ledger's uncle has broken the family's silence following the shocking death of the actor on Tuesday.
Neil Bell, who was the star's relative, personal assistant, confidante and mentor, has spoken out through a private investigator friend--because he's too grief-stricken to discuss his nephew's untimely death.
The private investigator, Paul Barresi, tells In Touch Weekly magazine that Bell and Ledger were very close.
Barresi, a family friend, tells the publication, "His mother and father heard of his death on the news. We are all devastated. The whole family is devastated over his death, and more so over having to learn of his death from the media."
But he insists reports that Ledger may have taken his own life are ridiculous.
He adds, "The last thing that Heath would want to do is throw it all away. He was very happy living in New York."
Hours later, Ledger's father, Kim, issued a statement addressing the devastating news, and called for the media to respect his family's privacy as they come to terms with the star's death.
In a statement, he says, "Heath's family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda.
"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.
"He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."
Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday.
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