An autopsy recently conducted on Heath Ledger's body has led to inconclusive results. It may take anywhere between 10 and 14 days for medical examiners to be sure of the cause of his death. CNN reports:
However, new reports from The Sydney Morning Herald in Australia indicate that Heath may have been on the sleeping narcotic marketed as "Stilnox" in Australia and commonly known as "Ambien" in the United States. The Herald further reports that many strange and dangerous reactions to Stilnox have been recently reported. Specifically, the Sydney Morning Herald says:
It hit headlines last year when a national drug hotline fielded calls from users reporting strange side-effects.
Some 500 people described odd behaviours from walking, crashing cars, having sex and falling from balconies after popping a pill.
One patient gained 23 kilograms over seven months after unknowingly eating from the refrigerator while asleep."
Also, many sources have also claimed that Heath may have had pneumonia immediately prior to his death which clearly could have a negative impact on his respiratory system, and the product information for Stilnox advises against using the drug if you have any respiratory problems when the medicine is administered. So, it could be a combination of Heath's pneumonia and taking sleeping pills that could have been fatal. However, a doctor of the Australian Medical Association said such a reaction would be "extremely rare". Specifically, The Sydney Morning Herald says:
But Sydney general practitioner Dr John Gullotta, of the Australian Medical Association, said such a reaction with Stilnox would be "extremely rare".
"In the product information (for Stilnox) they do actually caution against use in people with severe respiratory conditions, and pneumonia can obviously cause respiratory problems," said Dr Gullotta, who could not comment on the specific case.
"But really, to have this happen with Stilnox would be highly unusual.""
So, at this time, it appears that Heath's cause of death is uncertain. It appears that only time will bring us answers. We will continue to keep you up-to-date with new information as it becomes available.
