In Review

09 January 2009 12:44 BST

Mary-Kate Olsen 'ignorant' over Ledger death

Mary-Kate Olsen has stressed she does not know how Heath Ledger obtained the prescription medication that led to his death.

The former child star was the first person contacted by the masseuse who found the Dark Knight's star body after his death in January and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators are keen to interview her regarding the death of her close friend.

However, it has been reported that the 22-year-old wishes to be granted immunity from prosecution before she will cooperate with the DEA investigation.

A statement from Olsen's lawyer Michael C Miller denied "tabloid speculation" and said the actress "had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger's home or his body" and "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," he added.

The Australian actor was found dead at his New York City apartment on January 22nd after an accidental overdose of prescription medication.

And DEA investigators suspect the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone - sold as OxyContin and Vicodin - found in Ledger's system may have been obtained with false prescriptions.

An unnamed official - who requested anonymity as the investigation into the actor's death is ongoing - said authorities have obtained a subpoena which could force Olsen to testify in front of a grand jury.

The masseuse who discovered Ledger's body spent nine minutes making three calls to Olsen, police said, before calling emergency services.

At some point after the discovery of the body, Olsen - who was in California at the time - sent her personal security guards to Ledger's apartment to help.