Mary-Kate Olsen wants immunity to talk about Heath Ledger and drugs
HOLLYWOOD actress Mary-Kate Olsen has refused to be interviewed by US investigators over the accidental drug death of her close friend Heath Ledger unless she receives immunity from prosecution.
The New York Post is reporting the actress' lawyer has repeatedly rebuffed attempts by the federal authorieties to question Olsen, who was the first person called after her masseuse discovered Ledger's body in his SoHo apartment in January.
Frustrated federal officials could obtain a grand-jury subpoena to compel the funky "Full House" actress to tell them whatever she knows about the "Dark Knight" star's behaviour, his possible drug use and the events of that fateful morning, according to sources.
Probers have interviewed everyone connected to Ledger and his death, including his doctors, the masseuse, bodyguards, housekeepers, business associates and even the mother of his two-year-old daughter, Matilda, his "Brokeback Mountain" co-star Michelle Williams.
"Ms Williams was extremely nice and cooperative," a source said.
Another added, "Everyone has been very eager to help, saying what a great guy Heath Ledger was, everyone except Mary-Kate, who has refused to speak."
That source explained that Olsen would be the final witness they need to conclude their investigation into where he got his drugs and medicines.
Ledger - whose performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" has ignited Oscar buzz - died of a potent cocktail of prescription drugs and OxyContin, the latter of which was likely obtained illegally.
His death was ruled an accidental drug overdose by the medical examiner.
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And NYPD investigators closed their probe without interviewing Olsen because, they said, they got all the cooperation they needed from others. That decision, however, surprised some observers, considering Olsen's role as a potential witness.
Instead of calling emergency responders after getting the call from her masseuse, Mary- Kate Olsen telephoned her bodyguards in the Big Apple, telling them to race to Ledger's Broome Street home, where they arrived just as paramedics got to the scene.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration, which opened an investigation to determine the sources of Heath Ledger's drugs, was not as sanguine as the NYPD about talking to the 4-foot-11, 90-pound Olsen.
The feds contacted her lawyer, Michael Miller, several times recently seeking her cooperation, but Miller has told the feds Olsen won't be interviewed unless she gets immunity, exercising her constitutional rights.
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