LOS ANGELES - IN her first statement since the death of her former companion Heath Ledger, actress Michelle Williams said she is suffering from a broken heart and asked for privacy for her and daughter Matilda.

'Please respect our need to grieve privately,' Williams said in a statement released on Friday by Ledger's spokesman. 'My heart is broken.'

Williams, 27, and Ledger, an Australian actor, met on the set of the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain, fell in love and had Matilda, who is now 2 years old. They split up in September.

'All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up with the best memories of him.'

Ledger, 28, and Williams lived together in New York and there was speculation they planned to marry, although they never officially confirmed an engagement.

Ledger was found dead in his bed on Jan 22 in his New York apartment with sleeping pills and prescription drugs nearby, police said. The cause of death has yet to be determined but an official with the New York Medical Examiner's office said autopsy results were due on Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest.

The actor's body has been flown home to Australia where his family is arranging a private funeral and memorial.

Ledger's spokesman said that if a public service is held, the family would share those arrangements. Williams' whereabouts were not disclosed. -- REUTERS

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