Heath Ledger was sick with pneumonia and battling depression

Tragic actor Heath Ledger was sick with pneumonia and had been battling depression, it was reported yesterday.

The 'Brokeback Mountain' star's heartbroken family issued a statement saying his shock death was "accidental" amid claims three bottles of prescription pills found in his apartment contained antidepressants and Ambien.

Ledger, 28, had spoken in the past about having trouble sleeping but a pal said he had also been depressed.

Actor Jonathan Zarin told website PageSix.com: "I was hearing that he was depressed.

"I'm sure he must have been in a really bad place. I'd been hearing that for a while."

There have been reports Ledger had a drug problem and Zarin added: "Everyone in Hollywood experiments with drugs."

Ledger was suffering from pneumonia at the time of his death, according to website TMZ.com.

His distraught family in Australia issued a statement through dad Kim.

They said: ""Heath's family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda.

"He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time.

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

"He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many.

"Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

Ledger's former fianc? and the mother of his two-year-old daughter Michelle Williams was said to be "devastated".

The actor's body is set to undergo an autopsy today, after he was found dead and naked in the bedroom of his New York apartment on Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities do not suspect foul play.