Outside the scene of Heath Ledger's death in NYC | Photo by Tien Mao, Gothamist.com

Gothamist, parent site to LAist, is reporting the death of Heath Ledger. "Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in downtown Manhattan apartment by the police. Some reports say he died from an overdose." Ledger lived on Broome street.

Ledger was a rising star and actor from Australia, known for his work in Brokeback Mountain, which earned him a best actor Oscar nomination. Ledger is cast as The Joker in the next Batman Movie -- The Dark Knight -- which is scheduled for a July 18th, 2008 theatrical release

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play and said they found pills near the body. [City Room]

Ledger leaves behind his two-year-old daughter Matilda behind, who he had with his ex, Brokeback Mountain co-star, Michelle Williams.

UPDATE: Gothamist is at the scene in NYC: "We went to the apartment building and there's a bunch of media on the scene, the police are in front. TMZ is already there-- all the local news channels. It's a five story building, third lot in from the corner, the lights on the second floor. No one has mentioned if the body has been taken out yet (no ambulance in sight). Police are trying to clear the scene, but the media is canvassing the street. The detective says no one is coming out soon."

UPDATE: Gothamist says... "The Times is saying the fifth floor apartment is owned by Mary-Kate Olsen. A commenter suggests this Corcoran listing (a rental for $23,000/month) is the apartment."

For continuing updates, head to Gothamist. Batman preview after the jump.

Additional research by LAist News Editor, Andy Sternberg