Heath Ledger edgy and anxious over Christmas holidays

By Michael Perry

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian actor Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his New York apartment, was edgy and anxious during his Christmas holidays about not seeing his daughter Matilda, close friend and model Sophie Ward told local media.

Ward, sister of supermodel Gemma Ward with whom Ledger had been reportedly linked, said Ledger was distressed during holidays in his hometown Perth, worried about his split with Michelle Williams and their two-year-old daughter.

"He was clean and wasn't drinking any alcohol or taking drugs," Ward told The West Australian newspaper on Thursday.

Ledger, 28, was found on Tuesday face down and naked beneath the covers of his bed with sleeping pills and other prescription medication nearby, New York police said.

Police initially said Ledger may have died from a drug overdose, but a New York City's medical examiner conducted an autopsy that proved inconclusive.

Ledger's family said his death was a tragic accident and Sophie Ward also said she did not believe Ledger took his life.

"He smoked cigarettes, but that's about it. He was drinking diet Coke when we were together and he said he was very committed to not drinking alcohol," she said. "I don't believe he took his own life deliberately."

But Ward said Ledger was distressed about his split with Williams and being away from his daughter.

"We went to the movies and just did normal stuff ... but he was a bit edgy. He couldn't really relax," said Ward.

"He said he was going to London but was quite upset because he couldn't see his daughter as much as he'd like to. He was traveling so much and I think he was just frustrated with it all."

SPLIT IN SEPTEMBER

Ledger was best known for playing a gay cowboy in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," for which he received an Oscar nomination. He had completed filming his role as The Joker in "The Dark Knight", a Batman film due out this year.

Ledger and Williams, a co-star in "Brokeback Mountain", split in September and Ledger moved from their Brooklyn home to an apartment in the SoHo area of Manhattan.

Ledger's death shocked Australia and Hollywood, both mourning the loss of a young actor with great talent.

"It's heart-breaking... It's a great loss," Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain", told Reuters in Tokyo.