Desperate Call to Showbiz Pal ; HOLLYWOOD: Masseuse Phones Ledger's Mate After Finding Body

Jan 24, 06:56 PM

THE masseuse who found Hollywood actor Heath Ledger dead made two calls to his friend, actress Mary-Kate Olsen, before calling the emergency services.

Diana Wolozin told police she first called Olsen, whose number was in his mobile phone, for advice when she thought the 28-year- old actor was unconscious.

But when she realised he may be dead in his New York apartment she called Olsen again and then summoned an ambulance.

Ledger had six different types of drugs, including sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, inside his apartment but post-mortem results have so far proved inconclusive.

Police said the Australian actor probably died between 1pm and 2.45pm on Tuesday.

At 1pm, housekeeper Teresa Solomon went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.

At 2.45pm, Ms Wolozin, the massage therapist, arrived for Ledger's appointment, knocked on his door and got no answer.

She tried to call him on his mobile phone, but again got no response. She went into the bedroom, set up her massage table and again tried to wake Ledger.

Ms Wolozin told police that Ledger was cold to the touch, but that she assumed he was just unconscious.

She used his mobile phone to call Olsen because she knew they were friends.

In the moments that followed, Ms Wolozin realised Ledger might be dead so called Olsen again, and then called for an ambulance.

The emergency operator provided Ms Wolozin with directions on how to do resuscitation but it was too late.

Paramedics arrived minutes later - at about the same time as Olsen's security team.

New York Police Department commissioner Ray Kelly said a rolled- up 20 dollar note was also found near Ledger's body, but no illegal drugs were discovered in the apartment.

Yesterday, mourners created a makeshift shrine, lighting candles and laying flowers and hand-painted signs next to pictures of the star outside his Manhattan apartment.

(c) 2008 Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. Desperate Call to Showbiz Pal ; HOLLYWOOD: Masseuse Phones Ledger's Mate After Finding Body
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