Heath Ledger’s Family Flies In From Australia For Private Viewing

NEW YORK (AP) — There’s going to be a private viewing for Heath Ledger in Manhattan Friday.

Police have set up barricades outside the funeral home, and Ledger’s family is flying in from his native Australia. His publicist is keeping quiet about funeral arrangements, saying no details will be shared with the media.

Heath Ledger’s family says their “hearts are broken.” In a death notice published in The West Australian newspaper, the family remembers him as “the most amazing old soul in a young man’s body.”

In a separate notice, Ledger’s father writes “no more chess games mate…this is it, couldn’t beat you anyway.”

The actor’s sister says she could hardly breathe as she tried to write her tribute to him. She says they were the “ultimate soul mates.”

Ledger’s mother says the family will always be there for his 2-year-old daughter, Matilda.

The West Australian newspaper says Ledger will likely be buried in his hometown of Perth after a star-studded funeral in Los Angeles. Australian model Sophie Ward tells the newspaper that she plans to fly to L.A. for his service. Ward says her younger sister will likely be one of the speakers.

Gemma Ward reportedly dated Ledger last year.