US:Results of a postmortem carried out on actor Heath Ledger were inconclusive and it could take two weeks for a cause of death to be determined, New York medical examiners said yesterday.
Ledger (28), the star of Brokeback Mountain, was found dead in a New York apartment on Tuesday.
"The cause of death for Mr Ledger will be pending further study . . . It's going to be about 10 days to two weeks," said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the office of the New York chief medical examiner.
Authorities corrected earlier reports that pills had been strewn around the room. Medication found in the apartment was in containers on a bedside table and in a bathroom cabinet. Speculation that his death may have involved prescription drugs was rife.
The Australian actor's death prompted US president George Bush to cancel an event aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse.
In Australia there was a sense of shock and disbelief. In Perth, Ledger's parents insisted his death was 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," his father, Kim, said.
"He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual, extremely inspirational to many."
Ang Lee, who directed Brokeback Mountain, described Ledger's death as "heartbreaking".