Family remembers Heath in death notices

PERTH , Australia, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Heath Ledger's family honored the late actor with several heart-breaking messages run in the death notices section of the West Australian newspaper.

The "Brokeback Mountain" star, who was a native of Perth, Australia, died Tuesday in New York. He was 28. The cause was not immediately determined.

People.com said Ledger's mother Sally wrote in the newspaper: "You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for (your daughter) Matilda."

"I can hardly breathe when I try to write this," wrote Ledger's older sister Kate. "I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from wherever you were in the world. I especially loved all the precious time we spent together. We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did. You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother. There will never, ever be another 'Heath.'"

Another note from Ledger's father and one signed by his entire family also appeared in the newspaper.