Breaking News: Heath Ledger dead

A New York Police Department spokesman says the actor Heath Ledger, 28, has been found dead at a downtown Manhattan residence. His housekeeper and the masseuse opened the door to his apartment and found him unconscious and face down on the bedroom floor. There are no visible signs of any trauma.. They attempted to wake him; when they couldn't, they called 911.

We're told when paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prescription pills were strewn around his bed. The cops are waiting for the Medical Examiner.

Ledger received an Academy Award nomination for his starring role in "Brokeback Mountain"; he also co-starred in "Monster's Ball" and "The Brothers Grimm" and will be appearing as 'the joker' in the upcoming Batman release.