Heath Ledger's death an accident: family

CANBERRA (Reuters) - The death of Heath Ledger was a tragic accident, his Australian family said on Wednesday after the actor was found dead at his New York apartment.

"We, Heath's family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda," his father Kim said, reading from a statement outside the family home in Perth, in Western Australia.

Ledger, the gifted leading man acclaimed for his role as a gay cowboy in the film "Brokeback Mountain", was found face down and naked at the foot of the bed after what police said was a possible drug overdose. A autopsy is to be conducted.

Ledger's mother Sally and sister Kate gathered with Kim Ledger at the family's suburban home and said they wanted to be left to grieve in private.

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time," Kim Ledger said. "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him."

People and neighbors left flowers and cards outside the house where Ledger spent much of December and January on holiday, visiting friends in his birth city.

(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Alex Richardson)