Mary-Kate Olsen says Heath Ledger was a “friend” in a brief statement released Friday, the same day police said they have no interest in interviewing the “Full House” star.
Released by her publicist, the statement is the first word from Olsen since the Australian-born actor’s death. In its entirety, it reads:
“Heath was a friend. His death is a tragic loss. My thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time.”
Police said the masseuse who found Ledger’s body Tuesday spent nine minutes making three calls to the Olsen twin before dialing 911 for help, then called Olsen a fourth time after paramedics arrived. At some point during the flurry of calls, Olsen, who was in California, summoned her personal security guards to the apartment to help, police said.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said investigators have no interest in talking to Olsen. They interviewed everyone at the scene, each of whom was cooperative. That eliminated “any need to interview Miss Olsen,” he said.
Olsen’s whereabouts were unknown Friday. A private viewing was scheduled for Friday at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home in Manhattan, and Ledger’s family was flying to the U.S. from his native Australia.
Police set up barricades outside the funeral home as Ledger’s family made arrangements to claim the body of the 28-year-old “Brokeback Mountain” actor. Their plans were not immediately known, though Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said his government would do whatever is needed to help the family bring back his body to Australia.
Ledger’s publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said no details about the funeral would be shared with the media.
Ledger’s family placed a death notice in The West Australian, a newspaper based in his hometown of Perth, remembering him as “the most amazing ‘old soul’ in a young man’s body.”
“As a close knit and very private family we have observed you so determined yet quietly traveling in your self-styled path in life, nothing would get in your way ... no mountain too tall, no river too wide,” said the notice, which the newspaper said had been submitted by Ledger’s relatives. “.... Our hearts are broken.”
“You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother.”
The cause of Ledger’s death will not be known for at least a week, after medical examiners complete toxicology tests. Authorities suspect a possible overdose, but nothing conclusive has been determined. Several prescription drugs were found in the Manhattan apartment where Ledger’s body was found.
The masseuse who found him, Diana Wolozin, apparently knew both Ledger and Olsen and knew they were friends. Messages left at telephone numbers listed for Wolozin were not returned.