Insurance Company Refuses to Pay out on Heath Ledger’s Death

By: Shannon Gossage

John LaViolette, an attorney for Ledger’s daughter with actress Michelle Williams, said that the ReliaStar Life Insurance Company wants to investigate if the actor’s death was the result of an accidental overdose or a suicide. If it is determined to be a suicide, the insurance company would not have to pay. William Shernoff, another lawyer working with LaViolette, said, "There’s no evidence out there we know of to remotely suggest the death was a suicide." The coroner said that Ledger died of an accidental suicide. Shernoff added, "We think it’s more of stalling tactic than anything else."

Ledger died suddenly last January at the age of 28 from an overdose of prescription drugs. He took out the insurance policy in June 2007 and left his estate to his parents and sisters. Ledger’s family decided to donate his estate to his daughter, Matilda Rose. Ledger’s father, Kim, reportedly told People, "There was never any question about the fact that Heath’s estate would go to Matilda. Never a question. We are very close to Michelle and Matilda." He also said that that is how "Heath would want it."

Dana Ripley, a spokeswoman for ReliaStar, "We have not yet rendered a decision on this claim. Given the very private and personal nature of the life insurance business and our decision to protect the privacy of policyholder, it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss any specific detail on this process or the policy." In order to honor Ledger’s memory his family and Williams have decided to contribute to a scholarship that will help struggling Australian actors.