Validity Of Ledger's Prescriptions Probed
Some lingering questions remain regarding the medications found in actor Heath Ledger's body after his death and the validity of prescriptions for those drugs.
According to "Entertainment Tonight," the New York Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that subpoenas have been issued to the medical examiner's office, "in order to determine whether the drugs found in the body of Heath Ledger post mortem toxicology screening had valid prescriptions."
A spokesperson for the DEA also said they are fully "committed to identifying any illegally dispensed narcotics," ET reported.
In addition the DEA told ET, "This is a routine procedure when anyone overdoses. We look at whether controlled substances that were taken were legitimate, whether, they were ordered under false name, and how they might have been purchased. This is an ongoing investigation."
According to People magazine, two doctors (one in Texas and one in California) are under investigation regarding his prescriptions.
Ledger was found dead on Jan. 22 from what was determined to be an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
Photos: Ledger's Life
Photos: Ledger on Film
Photos: His Colleagues Mourn
On Feb. 6, the New York medical examiner announced that the 28-year-old "Brokeback Mountain" star died from the effects of taking six types of painkillers and sedatives.
"Heath Ledger's death by accidental overdose should serve as a warning to others not to mix prescription drugs," his father, Kim Ledger said in a previous statement. "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage."
Ledger's death promoted outpourings of grief from New York to Hollywood to his hometown of Perth, a small city on the edge of the Outback in Australia's southwest.