Feb 4, 2008 12:39 pm US/Pacific
Ledger Drug Rumors Upset Perth Locals
PERTH, Australia (AP) ―
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Actor Heath Ledger poses for a portrait while promoting his film 'Brokeback Mountain' at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 10, 2005 in Toronto.
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
Heath Ledger's hometown prepared Monday for the arrival of his
remains, while locals expressed dismay at speculation in the media that
the actor had used drugs.
Details of funeral arrangements for the late co-star of "Brokeback
Mountain" have not been announced, but Ledger's family is expected to
bring his body back to Perth this week. Family members have reportedly
already attended two memorial services in Los Angeles.
The Australian newspaper reported Monday that Ledger will be buried
next to two of his grandparents in a family plot in Perth. Ledger's
publicist, Mara Buxbaum, didn't immediately respond to an e-mail from
The Associated Press seeking comment.
Ledger died in his New York City apartment Jan. 22 at age 28.
Authorities suspect a drug overdose, but the cause of his death is
still pending the outcome of toxicology tests. Police said several
prescription drugs were found in the apartment where the actor's body
was found.
Residents of this idyllic city located on the western Australia
coast expressed sadness at his sudden death — and outrage over rumors
that he was a drug user.
"If a person dies, let him go in peace. All this rubbish they bring
up about drugs and everything else, I think it's a lot of rubbish,"
said Margaret Byrne, a 58-year-old catering supervisor at Royal Perth
Hospital.
Much of that speculation was fueled by video footage showing Ledger
at a Hollywood hotel party where drugs were being taken two years ago.
"Entertainment Tonight" decided against airing the footage after a
Hollywood publicity firm that represented Ledger mounted a protest that
included several A-list stars.
"He was a great star for us. We don't have many stars from here," she said.
"I think it's disgusting how the media has played it out," said
Justin Kestel, a 28-year-old travel agency manager who said he played
field hockey against Ledger when they attended opposing secondary
school teams.
Another Perth resident, Ian Bennett, said he was indifferent about
Ledger's death and believed allegations of his drug use. "It's part of
the scene," the food services attendant at Royal Perth Hospital said.
Perth journalists who covered Ledger said he was a huge source of pride.
"It's probably the biggest news we've had in Perth in a long time
... He's probably the highest-profile star who's ever come out of Perth
and probably our greatest success story," said Shannon Harvey, film
critic at The Sunday Times.
Harvey said Ledger returned to Perth to promote some of his earlier
movies, but he tried to keep a low profile when returning to visit his
family. Not that he seemed to be a natural at handling the press.
"He was not easy to interview," Harvey said. "It appeared he was
uncomfortable with doing interviews and feature stories and having
media and complete strangers prying into his personal life."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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