Ledger's family prepares for funeral

The family of Heath Ledger arrived in Australia on the way to the actor’s home town, where he is expected to be finally laid to rest, it was reported today.

Australian Associated Press said the actor’s father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Ledger Bell and sister Kate arrived in Brisbane from Los Angeles.

Ledger’s family lives in the western city of Perth, where the actor’s body is believed to be headed for burial or cremation.

Ledger died in his New York City apartment on January 22. Authorities suspect a drug overdose, but are awaiting the outcome of toxicology tests.

Police said several prescription drugs were found in the apartment where the actor’s body was found.

Ledger’s home town was preparing for the arrival of his remains, while locals expressed dismay at speculation in the media that the actor had used drugs.

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.

The Australian newspaper reported that Ledger would be buried next to two of his grandparents in a family plot in Perth.

Residents of the idyllic and isolated city on the south west corner of Australia expressed sadness at his sudden death – and outrage over rumours 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, a 58-year-old catering supervisor at Royal Perth Hospital.

Much of that speculation was fuelled by video footage showing Ledger at a Hollywood hotel party where drugs were being taken two years ago.

US TV show 'Entertainment Tonigh't decided against airing the footage after a Hollywood publicity firm that represented Ledger mounted a protest that included several A-list stars.

“He was a great star for us. We don’t have many stars from here,” Ms Byrne said.

“I think it’s disgusting how the media has played it out,” said Justin Kestel, a 28-year-old travel agency manager who said he played hockey against Ledger when they were on opposing secondary school teams.

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.

Ledger was a big source of pride for Perth – a metropolis of some 1.3 million people that lies one on the edge of Australia’s vast Outback and is thousands of miles from the nearest major city.

“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.”

Ms 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.

“He was not easy to interview,” Ms Harvey said. “It appeared he was uncomfortable with doing interviews and feature stories and having media and complete strangers prying into his personal life.”