By: John Brackett

News, rumors and speculation are starting to emerge from the tragic death of Heath Ledger. Even the toxicology reports are not due for several days, it seems pretty obvious that we might have lost another talented performer to a drug overdose. The second one in a week. Brad Renfro overdosed on Heroin on Jan. 15th.

Now the 24-hour news cycle will get in on the story and dissect each action, interview and aspect of the timeline to try and answer the same question we mere mortals ask every time this occurs: “How could someone that had so much to live for throw it away”. 

The most recent story of the and “how” and “why” on Ledger’s death comes from an interview he did with the New York times in November, where he states that playing the character of the Joker left him mentally and physically drained.  His take on the character is dark. Ledger explains him as being a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.”

He said “I stressed out a little too much”, which left him unable to sleep despite taking Ambien and other sleep aids. “Last week I probably slept and average of two hours a night.”.


So did the Joker take over his mind and eventually end his life in a horribly ironic twist worthy of his green haired alter-ego? Or is it a case of careless misuse of prescription medication by a guy who was overworked, stressed about his recent breakup, and missing his two-year old daughter?

The details of his demise will be forthcoming, but will likely not slow the celebrity rumor mill. How will this effect BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT? Certainly audiences will read much into every word of the Joker to look for clues.  Maybe the Joker will get the last laugh after all.