Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment by his housekeeper this evening. Police say that drugs may have been a factor.

Ledger was due to have a massage at home, his housekeeper found him dead when she went to alert him to the masseuse’s arrival.

Ledger is best known for his role in gay cowboy movie, Brokeback Mountain, for which he earned an Oscar nomination. But he also made a handful of appearances in Australian soap opera, Home and Away.

He was engaged and then recently seperated from Dawson’s Creek actress Michelle Williams. He leaves behind a young daughter, Matilda from thier marriage. I’m sure despite the break-up, Michelle will be deeply distressed by this. Our condolences to her and her daughter.