Mary-Kate Olsen Demands Immunity In Heath Ledger Probe: Report

NEW YORK — Federal investigators want to question actress Mary Kate Olsen about how Heath Ledger got two powerful painkillers that contributed to his accidental overdose death, but she's not talking, a law enforcement official said Monday.

Olsen's lawyer has twice refused requests to have her sit down with investigators probing the death of the scene-stealing star of "The Dark Knight" earlier this year in a Manhattan apartment, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation has not been concluded.

The official confirmed a report that Olsen _ a close friend of Ledger who learned about the 28-year-old actor's death in a frantic phone call from a masseuse _ wants a promise of immunity before she speaks to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The activity demonstrates that federal authorities are still actively trying to figure out how Ledger got some of the drugs that killed him.

DEA investigators suspect the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone found in his system were obtained with phony prescriptions or other illegal sources, the official said. Oxycodone is sold as OxyContin and hydrocodone as Vicodin.

The other drugs that resulted in what the medical examiner called "acute intoxication," including anti-anxiety and sleeping pills, were prescribed legally by doctors in California and Texas, the official said.

Authorities have obtained a subpoena that could force Olsen to appear before a grand jury if negotiations with her lawyer fail, the official said. Other potential witnesses all have answered questions voluntarily, including doctors, Ledger's ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams and anyone who was in his apartment around the time of his death, the official added.

The DEA's New York office declined comment on the stalemate, first reported Monday by the New York Post. There was no immediate response to a message left with a spokeswoman for Olsen.

The masseuse discovered Ledger's body on Jan. 22 after the actor had completed filming his role as the Joker in the new Batman film.

Police say the masseuse spent nine minutes making three calls to Olsen before dialing 911 for help, then called the "Full House" actress a fourth time after paramedics arrived. At some point during the flurry of calls, Olsen, who was in California, summoned her personal security guards to the apartment to help, police said.

Shortly after the Australian-born actor's death, Olsen issued a statement that read: "Heath was a friend. His death is a tragic loss."

Comments

[Agentlady007]

Such a pretty little face she and her sister have. They were raised with such style and grace. I am so impressed with their careers. They were almost " little women" before they could walk.

[qdemn7]

She's just another spoiled, rich, celebrity. That means no matter what she did in terms of criminal acts, she'll get no more than a slap on the wrist. The same behavior by an ordinary person would land them doing hard time, and no way will she do hard time. The only place that she can really be hurt is her pocketbook, and that is if she were to be sued by Ledger's survivors.

[EspressoAtNoon]

To me asking for immunity is an admission of guilt. I have a feeling these two twins are living some bizarre sex, drug-fueled Twin Peaks type of life. There's definitely a David Lynch story somewhere in there.

[Krackonis]

Look, people do drugs. He should have just had a joint ate some twinkies and go to bed, But no he had to use poisons from the pharma lobby and died. No surprise there.

I don't blame Kate, I blame retarded laws that require people to hide occasional recreational use of basic benign drugs. If it was legal, I betcha Heath would still be alive today.

[GalaxieGal]

Makes me wonder if there is a "calling Mary Kate always worked when this happened before" situation.

BTW, If they bought their drugs off the net, there usually aren't any "prescribed to" labels on the packaging.

[petecook5]

hmmmm.....­maybe she's scared they'll discover her dark secret....­that she and her sister were the spawn of two truck stop trolls back in the 80s and given up for adoption to Bob Saget.

[GravitonX]

Hmmm, two cute little white girl celebritie­s........t­he case is a non-starter. The worst they'll get is a few critical comments on their choice of makeup. They'll be home in time for the next rave.

[Puller58]

Lock her up and make her spill the beans. I'm tired of these celebutaunts getting away with things.

[Dantana]

The Olsen twins have creeped me out for years. Twins usually do. Why are they worth Billions? What is it they do? They should make a lord of the rings style movie where one or both of them play the little creature that says 'my little precious". Seriously, bet MKO supplied to drugs to Ledger and has sooo much money, she'll get out of it. If it was any regular girl, that would have collared her already.

[billrott]

She should not be granted immunity. If it turns out she provided the medications illegally to Heath that resulted in his death, she should be held accountable like anyone else.

[Faxus]

Creepy is right. What will these two elfin ladies look like in 40 years?

[rzan1]

Pretty much as they do right now, shriveled and old looking.

[JTyroler]

She shouldn't talk with police without an attorney. Asking for immunity from prosecution however creates the appearance that she has done something that she could be prosecuted for.

[MTiffany]

"Asking for immunity from prosecution however creates the appearance that she has done something that she could be prosecuted for."

Uhm, probably because she DID?

[rzan]

These girls have a very big creep factor. That picture of her is chillingly hideous.

[Theda]

The oxycontin and vicodin might have had HER name on the prescription bottle. And it's weird that Mary-Kate and Ledger's MASSEUSE talked three times on the phone BEFORE the cops were called. It's possible that if an ambulance had been called right away, Heath might have been saved.
Also, why did she have her "personal security guards" go to the apartment before the police were called?

[billrott]

If the medications were hers and she gave them to Heath, she is guilty of facilitating his murder via a drug sale. Such an action is a felony offense.

[marymansour]

It's very suspicious that Mary Kate called a housekeeper before she called 911. There must have been something she feared as far as her own involvement.

[txgal44]

I think you have it backwards. The house keeper called MKO before she called 911.

[thenicerguy]

Never talk to the police.

Any lawyer worth his salt will ingrain that in the hearts and minds of his family members.

Even if she has done nothing wrong, I'm sure that there are several deputy DAs eyeing her as a great "career-building" get. She is literally a billionaire, world-famous and odd; those things alone in this country are enough "reasons" for a prosecutor - who could get an indictment for a ham sandwich - to take a run at her and make her life miserable.