Heath Ledger died on January 22, 2008, at the age of 28 in his New York City apartment. The cause of death was an accidental overdose resulting from the combined effects of several prescription medications. These included painkillers (oxycodone, hydrocodone), anti-anxiety drugs (diazepam, alprazolam), sleeping pills (temazepam, doxylamine), and others. The toxic combination caused acute intoxication, which led to his brain and brain stem "falling asleep," stopping his heart and lung functions
. He was found unconscious and naked in bed by his housekeeper and massage therapist, who were unable to revive him before emergency responders arrived
. The death was ruled accidental, with no evidence of suicide or long-term drug addiction, although Ledger was reportedly struggling with insomnia and was self-medicating with multiple prescribed drugs at the time
. The circumstances surrounding his death highlighted concerns about prescription drug abuse and the dangers of combining multiple medications
