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Dead actor's family returns to Australia amid drug rumors

"All this rubbish they bring up about drugs and everything else, I think it's a lot of rubbish."

Margaret Byrne, Perth resident

Heath Ledger's family arrived back in Australia yesterday and started the final leg of the late star's long journey home following his premature death last month in New York.

The actor's father, Kim Ledger, and other relatives touched down in the family's home city of Perth yesterday afternoon. The group, accompanied by security guards and at least one police officer, came off the plane and were ushered immediately into an elevator.

Local media reported that Kim Ledger, the actor's mother Sally Ledger Bell, sister Kate and several other people were driven in cars across the tarmac and out of the airport. There was no immediate indication that the actor's remains were aboard the flight.

Ledger died in his New York City apartment on Jan. 22. He was 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.

Details of funeral arrangements for the late co-star of Brokeback Mountain have not been announced, and the mother of his two-year-old daughter Matilda, actress Michelle Williams, has requested privacy for those in mourning.

The family will reportedly hold a private ceremony for the actor and then either bury his remains or have them cremated and interred in a family plot in Perth, where his two grandparents lie.

As Ledger's hometown prepared for the arrival of his remains, residents of the idyllic and isolated city expressed sadness at his sudden death -- and outrage at 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, 58, a catering supervisor at Royal Perth Hospital.

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.

"It's probably the biggest news we've had in Perth in a long time," said Shannon Harvey, film critic at the Sunday Times.

"He's probably the highest-profile star who's ever come out of Perth and probably our greatest success story," Harvey said.

Harvey said Ledger returned to Perth to promote some of his earlier movies, but he tried to keep a low profile when visiting his family.
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