Posted Sep 29th 2008 5:00AM by TMZ Staff
The company that wrote Heath Ledger's $10 million life insurance policy is being sued after claiming the actor's death might have been a suicide, even though officials concluded it was accidental. Lawyers for Ledger's daughter say it's a transparent ploy to avoid paying the money.
ReliaStar Life Insurance Company wrote the policy in June 2007 -- six months before Ledger died. The beneficiary of the policy is a trustee who would hold the money for 2-year-old Matilda.
Instead of paying the $10 mil, ReliaStar set out to investigate whether Ledger took his own life, despite the fact that the New York City Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental.
TMZ has obtained a lawsuit, filed by Matilda's trustee, claiming ReliaStar (owned by ING Americas) has acted in bad faith by not promptly paying the $10 million and by wrongfully prying into the life of Heath Ledger after his death.
Sources say lawyers for the insurance company have claimed Ledger's death was "suspicious" -- possibly suicide, which would nullify the policy. The company alleges in its answer to the lawsuit, "ReliaStar is entitled to investigate Plaintiff's claim to determine if the 'Suicide' provision is applicable." That provision states, "If the Insured commits suicide ... we will pay only the amount of premiums paid to us."
ReliaStar's lawyers have informed Matilda's lawyers they intend to take the depositions of Mary-Kate Olsen, as well as the masseuse who was at Ledger's home when he died, Ledger's colleagues on his last film, his agents, doctors, psychologists and others. Lawyers for Matilda believe the insurance company is trying to scare and shame them into submission. They believe ReliaStar is trying to drag the process out, for what could be years, to avoid paying the money.
We're also told ReliaStar believes Ledger may have lied on two questions on his insurance application -- specifically, whether he was taking prescription drugs when he filled out the application and whether he ever used illegal drugs.
In its answer to the lawsuit, ReliaStar claims it can contest the policy if Ledger lied on the application and it was a "material misrepresentation." Sources tell us Ledger had a prescription for Ambien when he filled out the application, but Ambien was not in his system when he died, nor were any illegal drugs.
Lawyers for Matilda's trust claim ReliaStar is flagrantly violating California law, which prohibits insurance companies from re-examining insurance applications after the policyholder dies. In the lawsuit, Matilda's lawyers say they received a letter from ReliaStar, asking them to identify "all physicians who attended to [Ledger] and all hospitals or institutions where [he] was treated since 1996." Matilda's lawyers say the request blatantly violates the law.
An official for ReliaStar told TMZ, "No decision has been made on the claim." But lawyers for Matilda's trust believe ReliaStar should have already paid and, according to the suit, is acting "maliciously, fraudulently and/or oppressively ... depriving plaintiff of the insurance policy benefits."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Sep 29th 2008 4:37AM by TMZ Staff
With her umbrella in tow, precious two-year-old Matilda Rose Ledger took a leisurely stroll through NYC on Sunday.
Matilda won't have to worry about rainy days much longer, as she will reportedly inherit all of Heath Ledger's $20 million estate. As for Heath's life insurance policy ...
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Kids, Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 28th 2008 9:07AM by TMZ Staff
The apartment where Heath Ledger died is available for rent, and apparently someone thinks the tragedy is good for business.
Ledger's three-bedroom loft is on the market for $26,000 a month. The Broome St. loft has its own private balcony, original Corinthian columns, and a wood-burning fireplace.
Heath paid around $22K a month before he died there 7 months ago.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 27th 2008 1:57PM by TMZ Staff
Michelle Williams got her cardio workout in by chasing after her precious daughter Matilda down a NYC street on Wednesday.
Heath's little lookalike turns three in October.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Beauty, Kids, Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:00PM by TMZ Staff
Lil' Matilda Rose is growing into a identical version of her dad Heath Ledger.
Keep Mary-Kate far, far away from her.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 7th 2008 8:40AM by TMZ Staff
Sources connected with the Heath Ledger investigation say the Drug Enforcement Administration set a new low for starf**king.
People who have talked to TMZ off the record are now willing to go on record -- still anonymously -- about one of the most bizarre DEA power grabs ever.
How's this for starters ... no one we've spoken with connected with the case can point to a single DEA case where a massive investigation was launched over an accidental death in which no criminality was even hinted at.
We know the DEA went all over the country, in one case tracking down a guy in California who smoked a joint with Ledger in the '90s, telling him he had to testify in a Grand Jury probe. And how's this for chutzpah ... the DEA told the guy he would have to pay his own way to NYC to testify before the Grand Jury!
In another case, the DEA was nosing around a film set in Arizona looking for people who had information about possible Ledger drug connections.
We know the NYPD was furious at the DEA for making an immediate power grab to control what should have been a simple case. NYPD cops felt "humiliated" by what one source called "utter disrespect" on the part of the DEA.
As for the U.S. Attorney's office, we're told officials say they were appalled at what they felt was a "bogus" investigation. Our sources say the U.S. Attorney finally had enough and shut down the entire investigation -- an investigation the DEA desperately wanted to go before a grand jury.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Aug 4th 2008 6:55PM by TMZ Staff
After reports surfaced the Feds have repeatedly tried and failed to get Mary-Kate Olsen to spill what she knows about how Heath Ledger got the drug cocktail that eventually killed him, the tiny twin's attorney Michael Miller has issued the following statement:
"Despite tabloid speculation, Mary-Kate Olsen had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger's home or his body, and she does not know where he obtained them. Regarding the government's investigation, at Ms. Olsen's request, we have provided the government with relevant information including facts in the chronology of events surrounding Mr. Ledger's death and the fact that Ms. Olsen does not know the source of the drugs Mr. Ledger consumed. "
Cops say the masseuse who found Ledger's body last January spent nine minutes making three separate calls to Olsen before calling 911, then called her again after paramedics arrived. After getting the calls, cops say MK sent her bodyguard to go check on the situation .
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Mary-Kate/Ashley Olsen, Heath Ledger
Posted Jul 18th 2008 8:51AM by TMZ Staff
The uncle of the late Heath Ledger was popped Wednesday for stealing tractors -- and a tomahawk -- in Heath's hometown of Perth, Australia.
Haydn Ledger -- brother of Heath's dad Kim -- was charged with receiving stolen goods when three bobcat tractors worth over $100K were found at his office. They'd been stolen from a building site and a contractor's yard.
Earlier this year, Uncle Haydn accused Heath's dad of mismanaging his late son's trust fund, a claim which Kim Ledger denied. Heath's "The Dark Knight" premieres today.
Filed under: Breaking News, Heath Ledger
Posted Jul 15th 2008 3:00PM by TMZ Staff
Heath's father Kim and wife Ines were outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York yesterday where he showed praise to Heath's performance as the Joker.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Posted Jun 4th 2008 7:03PM by TMZ Staff
A chi-chi party that is being thrown one floor above the place Heath Ledger died has just been 86'd.
We're told the building owners weren't informed Calvin Klein was throwing a glitzy, tight-invite soiree tonight in the penthouse, one floor above the unit where Ledger lived and died.
Owners just shut down the shindig. Eva Mendes, who was the party's main attraction, was the only celeb who had arrived before the party was broken up. We're told a fleet of 25 BLS limos arrived to shuttle guests to a different location.
Filed under: Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 25th 2008 1:50PM by TMZ Staff
Former BFFs Heather Locklear and Denise Richards are both in Hawaii this week -- but that's clearly where the similarities end.
Heather's 46-year-old rockin' bikini bod proved she's still hotter than any husband-stealer 10 years younger.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Denise will just have to be content with all the extras that come with being a wannabe reality TV star.
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Paparazzi Photo, Celebrity Feuds, Denise Richards, Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 11th 2008 3:33PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has just obtained a copy of the bizarre lawsuit that was filed minutes ago in L.A. County Superior Court, alleging that Heath Ledger was set up by two photographers who allegedly fueled him with cocaine and secretly videotaped it for profit.
The suit was filed by a woman who called herself Jane Doe. At the time of the incident -- the 2006 SAG party at the Chateau Marmont hotel -- she was a freelance reporter for People magazine. Doe, who had booked a room at the Chateau, was dating Darren Banks, a photog. Banks and a photog friend met up with Heath on the outside patio and "shared a smoke." That's when the alleged trickery began.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 11th 2008 2:10PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned a lawsuit is about to be filed, alleging two photogs and a photo agency set Heath Ledger up in a cocaine sting.
According to the as yet to be filed suit, Heath was at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in West Hollywood the night he lost the SAG award for "Brokeback Mountain." The plaintiff, listed as Jane Doe, was dating one of the photogs.
The photogs had befriended Heath and invited him up to the woman's room to party, never disclosing their true intentions. As Heath allegedly did coke, the photogs secretly videotaped the whole thing. When Heath realized what was happening, he went ballistic. A rep for Heath tells TMZ the video does not show the actor doing illegal drugs.
"E.T." bought and promoted the tape, but then decided not to air it.
Unclear why Jane Doe is suing.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
Posted Apr 4th 2008 2:15PM by TMZ Staff
Heath Ledger's sudden passing on January 22 shocked his friends, family and fans across the planet. Today would have been the young father's 29th birthday.
Filed under: R.I.P., Heath Ledger
Posted Mar 27th 2008 3:25PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained a copy of the 2003 will of Heath Ledger. It leaves 50% to his sisters and the remainder to his parents.
The supporting docs list $145,000 in assets, though we've reported Heath had a lot more -- in the millions.
As previously reported, Heath's daughter, Matilda, was not mentioned in the original will. But we're told she'll be well taken care of.
Read it for yourself.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Heath Ledger
