KEY POINTS:
The Drug Enforcement Administration is to launch an investigation to determine how Heath Ledger's prescription drugs were obtained.
DEA officials have reportedly requested copies of Ledger's autopsy, as well as the original police reports on his death, TMZ.com reports.
DEA Special Agent Steve Robertson tells Usmagazine.com says: "It's an ongoing investigation by the New York Police Department and, as always, we're standing by to assist other investigations."
A total of six different types of prescription medicines were discovered in Ledger's apartment.
"We're trying to educate that legal drugs - these prescription drugs - can be just as dangerous as more hardcore drugs when misused or abused," Robertson says.
"Sad to say, this is a perfect example of how even the so-called 'safe drugs' can cost somebody their life."
TV Guide reports that the NYPD has not indicated whether the bottles of medication found at Ledger's apartment, some of which were detected in his body, were specifically prescribed to Ledger.
New York City's Chief Medical Examiner concluded this morning that Heath Ledger's death was caused by a fatal cocktail of painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication.
Read the news report here and here.
Meanwhile, disturbing news has emerged that photos of Ledger's dead body are being touted to various tabloids worldwide.
I pray it's a vicious rumour.
Britney's wild ride out of psych unit
And just like that, the saga that is Britney Spears' life goes from crazy to plain cuckoo.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's hurricane Spears bolting it from hospital.
Breaking news just in indicates the singer has checked out of hospital this morning.
Less than a week after she was admitted, Spears is on the move yet again.
The LA Times broke the news earlier today and says the singer slipped away quietly from the psychiatric unit she was in.
Spears' father, Jamie, was reportedly spotted at the back of the UCLA Medical Centre, carrying several of the singer's belongings.
4:00pm: And just like nothing ever happened, Spears is back in harm's way again.
It's just like groundhog day.
Spears is back with Adnan Ghalib and the pair has sped off to the offices of lawyer Adam Streisand.
Streisand was the lawyer who unsuccessfully tried to get Spears' father removed as her conservator earlier this week.
3:15pm: Britney Spears has escaped the paparazzi and is nowhere to be found.
Excellent.
Her pap boyfriend, Adnan Ghalib, drove Spears away from the Beverly Hills Hotel earlier on and the pair has bolted.
Meanwhile, TMZ is still camped outside Brit's Beverly Hills home.
I hope they brought their pyjamas, because if Spears has any sense she'll have well and truly left the building.
2.00pm: Brit Brit is now holed up inside the Beverly Hills Hotel, sources say.
Theinsideronline.com says Brit Brit's newly-hired bodyguard has already been given the boot.
She apparently booted him out of the car before driving to the hotel.
Then, along the way, she picked up a photographer.
Sadly, British Britney has also made a comeback. Insider says the singer spoke to paparazzi using her favourite accent.
Fit for release? I don't think so.
Check out this crazy clip of paparazzi chasing Spears as she drives to the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Watch in amazement as a throng of paparazzi four lanes wide try and drive up a one lane road.
12.50pm: This is ridiculous.
Paparazzi in LA are tailing Spears as she drives around aimlessly.
Check out this clip of a swarm of paparazzi surrounding her car like a pack of animals.
Meanwhile, Fox News is streaming a live video stream of paparazzi chasing the beleaguered star.
What's next? A doco of her uterus? Come on, guys.
Stay indoors, Spears, and don't put yourself in their grubby hands.
12.05pm: Spears is out and she's taking pictures of paparazzi with her phone while she's driving.
But unlike her usual expeditions, Usmagazine reports the singer is now accompanied by a bodyguard while she drives around LA.
See here.
Meanwhile, it's being reported that Spears' parents' goal all along was to establish the much-needed conservatorship while the star was in hospital so they could then take her home to a "controlled environment".
Let's hope it works.
11:50am: Pagesix.com quotes a source close to Britney as saying, "She is home safe with her parents in Beverly Hills. The conservatorship is still 100 per cent in effect, and if Sam Lutfi makes any attempt to contact her, the police will be called immediately."
Unlike the fanfare that surrounded the star's admission to hospital, her exit was a no-fuss affair.
Sources tell accesshollywood.com that around 12pm (local time), Spears left the building accompanied by an LAPD escort and may have changed cars at least three times to fool trailing paparazzi.
It is not known who is travelling with her.
It's also unclear whether the singer will continue with outpatient treatment.
How it happened
Several news websites claim UCLA doctors determined Spears no longer posed a legal danger to herself or to others, and could not hold her against her will.
She was subsequently released.
However, the conservatorship protecting Spears is still in place.
Click here to watch a live video stream of TMZ's paparazzi camped outside the singer's home
Stay tuned to this blog for updates.
Heath Ledger's death 'accidental'
It's official: Heath Ledger's death was caused by a fatal cocktail of painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, New York City's Chief Medical Examiner has concluded.
Toxicology tests released today reveal that a total of six different drugs were found in the late actor's system.
A spokesperson for the New York City medical examiner said: "Mr Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine.
"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."
The drugs
* Oxycodone is a painkiller;
* Hydrocodone is also known as Vicodin;
* Diazepam is commonly called Valium;
* Temazepam is usually prescribed to treat anxiety or sleeplessness;
* Alprazolam is known as Xanax; and
* Doxylamine is an antihistamine often used as a sleep aid.
Click here to read the toxicology report.
Dr. Michael Hunter, a prominent forensic pathologist interviewed by People, says the lethal combination of drugs in Ledger's system caused "poly-drug intoxication" which led to respiratory arrest.
"His breathing probably got slower and slower until it stopped all together," he said.
The pathologist also said "it is highly unlikely a doctor would have allowed Ledger to take all the different types of drugs in his system.
While another doctor tells People it could be the result of "sloppy prescribing".
Regardless, "This is a dangerous mixture of drugs," added Hunter.
"We are seeing more and more people dying of poly-drug intoxication from prescription drugs and it usually a combination of the narcotic-type drugs seen here."
Following the announcement of the findings, Ledger's dad Keith said:
"We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child.
"Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today's results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts."
He added: "We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise.
"To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend."
Read the full statement here.
Ledger was found dead on 22 January aged 28, and is expected to be buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in his native Perth, Australia.
A private funeral will be held on Saturday.
Let's hope this puts an end to all the speculation and conjecture surrounding Ledger's death.
And, most importantly, ceases any more talk that the actor died as a result of taking illegal substances.
Media coverage
Overall, the majority of media has been responsible with its coverage of Ledger's demise.
But as we all saw last week, there were pockets of news organisations who ultimately sold sensational headlines above morality and decency.
As I've said previously, there is always a fine line between reporting what is undoubtedly this year's most shocking celebrity news story, and being respectful of the deceased family's feelings.
Hopefully it's a line I haven't crossed.
And while I myself have been accused of profiteering from the actor's death by providing you with news coverage, I disagree.
As I said before, this is a celebrity news blog - and reporting celebrity news is what I do.
Yes, this blog is a humorous look at the world of celebrity and such, and the tone reflects the subject matter.
Te be honest, in the cartoon world of celebrity, there really is no other way of reporting its inhabitants' antics other than with humour.
But levity or not, journalism will always be at the heart of what I do.
Ledger: RIP, mate.
Rant over.
Sources: TMZ.com, People.com, Thesun.co.uk, Usmagazine.com
That's Queen Bitch to you
Sir Elton John is the ultimate diva.
The ageing warbler reportedly spent a whopping 1,475 (NZ$3,683) on a night at the lavish Dorchester hotel in London last week.
And while he was there, he apparently fired off a list of demands that only an inflated ego like his could muster.
What the diva demanded:
* Fat-free and sugar-free cookies
* A tray of raw veg
* Lilies in his room and tulips in the hall.
* Monitored room temperature
* A box of tissues - without balm
* Two buckets (WTF?)
* Viva la diva, Elton!
Source: Thesun.co.uk
Now that's unusual...
Welsh legend Tom Jones has taken the unusual step of insuring one of his greatest assets - his chest hair.
The 67-year-old singer has apparently approached insurance house Lloyd's about insuring his chest rug which has entertained his legions of female fans for decades.
For a sum of 3.5million (NZ$8.7million)
"Like a vintage wine, Tom just gets better with age," a 'source told the Mirror.
"Even at the grand old age of 67, the ladies love his hip-thrusting moves and catching a sneaky peak of his famously rugged chest hair."
How the hell does Jones think he'll lose his manly hairs? Alopecia? Global warming?
A spokesperson for Jones declined to comment.
Meanwhile, watch a vintage video clip of Jones strutting his stuff for the ladies during a vintage concert in 1969.
The action kicks in at about 1min 20 seconds, after which Jones experiences some kind of seizure.
I'll have what he's having!
Sorry Spice
The Spice Girls have added insult to injury following their announcement to cut their tour short by videotaping a message to their fan(s).
With oodles of sincerity and humility the Girls apologise for the curtailed tour - citing the fact their kids needs to go back to school (never heard of tutors?) as one of the reasons for the change of plans.
Watch the disingenuous display here.
Spice Parody
Hurrah for whoever created this impressive parody which ever-so-subtly reveals the real reason for the tour trauma...
McCartney Vs Mills: The reckoning
The final showdown is nigh...
Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills will slug it out in court next week, and it looks like it's going to be a dog fight.
The acrimonious pair will appear before a High Court judge to decide who should get the biggest chunk out of Macca's reported 825million (NZ$lotsadosh) fortune.
After being dumped by her legal reps, Mills will apparently be representing herself, and is set to reveal yet more scandalous and shocking allegations about her estranged hubby's behaviour during their marriage.
Likewise, Macca, 65, has vowed to clear his name.
I'll bring you all the news from the court battle as it happens.
Source: mirror.co.uk
Spaced Spears
And the travesty that is Britney Spears' life just gets weirder.
The troubled pop princess was being DRUGGED by her "manager" Sam Lutfi, according to newly-released court documents.
The documents reveal shocking allegations made by Spears' mother Lynne that the troubled star had her phone lines cut and mobile phone chargers confiscated by Lutfi as he made his move to "take control of her life".
The signed declaration was made by Lynne so they could organise a restraining order against Lutfi in a Los Angeles court.
The restraining order was issued after the star was admitted to UCLA hospital last week.
Lynne's declaration makes a riveting read.
The document outlines how Lynne and her ex-husband Jamie attempted to stage an "intervention" on January 28th to get their daughter some medical help.
Lutfi was apparently at Spears' home at the time, and Lynne documents what she saw and heard that fateful day.
Of Lutfi, the document says: "He has cut Britney's home phone line and removed her cell phone chargers. He yells at her. He claims to control everything
"Sam had told Britney that she was an unfit mother, a piece of trash and a whore, that she cares more about Adnan, her current boyfriend, than she cares about her kids, and that she does not deserve the kids."
"Adnan is gay ... Britney came into the room looking for Adnan ... Britney then asked me (Lynne), 'Is Adnan gay?"
The document goes on to say: "At one point Britney picked up a bottle of pills and read part of the label and asked us, 'What does insomnia mean?'
"Sam told her that the pills will help her stay awake.
"Sam told Jackie and me that he grinds up Britney's pills, which were on the counter and included Risperdal (an anti-psychotic drug for schizophrenia and bipolarity) and Seroquel.
"He told us that the doctor who is treating her now is trying to get her into a sleep-induced coma so that they could then give her drugs to heal her brain."
Furthermore, the document states that Lutfi encouraged Spears to "do tequila shots".
Drug claims
But the most damning claim of all is this one:
Lynne claims that Lutfi gave Spears drugs "to make her more light-hearted, happy, and fun."
And following a raging argument that night, Lutfi allegedly said to Lynne: "If you try to get rid of me, she'll be dead and I'll pi*** on her grave."
Spears also allegedly said to her mother: "Can I see another psychiatrist so I can see my babies?"
Lynne claims Lutfi replied with: "If I told you to take 10 pills a day, you should do what I tell you to see your babies."
The restraining order against Lutfi prevents him from coming within 250 yards of the singer.
Lutfi denies Lynne's claims.
Speaking to The Insider, Lutfi does not acknowledge the allegations directly, simply saying, "Britney takes prescription medication."
On news reports claiming he admitted to medicating Spears, he says: "That ... stuff is fake."
Good heavens, could this drama get any filthier? I feel like I need to be hosed down after reading that court document. It's all so unsavory and tragic.
The bottom line is that Spears has clearly been a sick bunny for a lot longer than any of us realised.
And, sadly, she failed to gain the support of those closest to her.
People often ask me why so many seemingly level-head celebs often lose their grip on reality and meltdown.
The answer's simple: Many celebs don't occupy the same realm of reality as you or I - they're cosseted and 'protected' by their legions of "yes" people who cater to their every whim and ensure that their take on "keeping it real" is far removed from ours.
A friend pointed out to me today the uncanny parallels between Spears and Marilyn Monroe's downfall.
Let's pray she doesn't meet the same tragic end.
Sources: thesun.co.uk, People.com, TMZ.com, Wesmirch.com
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Fast gossip
Give me five minutes and I'll tell you everything...
* Victoria and David Beckham want to adopt: ICYDK
* Lindsay Lohan hates being alone at night. Dlisted
* Scarlett Johansson is making nuisance calls: Gawker
* Michael Jackson's ex-wife goes shopping: TMZ
* Sharon Stone's lesbian fantasies: Cityrag
* Gwen Stefani's pregnancy is showing: Just Jared
* John Travolta's head is a dead cat: Dlisted
* Matthew McConaughey can't wait for his trailer park baby: Socialite Life
* Rhianna goes to opening of an umbrella: Socialitelife
* Mischa Barton's bad dress sense: Popsugar
* Woody Harrelson is wild and free: A Socialite's Life
* Gossip central: Wesmirch.com
* nzherald.co.nz is not responsible for the content of external websites.
