Heath Ledger's diary detailed dark descent and chilling premonition of his own death

Heath Ledger's diary that he penned before his death included a chilling premonition about his passing.

The Australian actor died aged 28 of a prescription drugs overdose while his movie The Dark Knight - in which he played the Joker - was in the editing phase.

During his time as the character, the method actor kept a diary - which detailed his descent into darkness in the months before his death and it even appeared to include an eerie message that seemed to predict his end.

The note book in which Heath kept his thoughts in at the time was written from the perspective of the Joker and in the 2012 documentary Too Young To Die the journal was shared by the star's dad Kim Ledger.

Heath Ledger's diary that he penned before his death included a chilling premonition about his passing (Getty Images)

In scenes shown in the factual film, heartbroken Kim can be seen flicking through the diary - which was littered with a number of muses that Heath focused on for his depiction of the manic Joker.

Inside included references to Alex DeLearge from Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange as well as images of hyenas, clowns and strips pulled out of vintage comics.

The Australian actor died aged 28 of a prescription drugs overdose while his movie The Dark Knight - in which he played the Joker - was in the editing phase (REUTERS)

And on one page seemed to have the eerie and disturbing premonition about his death - as Heath has scrawled "BYE BYE" in large font across a page.

Kim explained that his son was highly committed to his role and shut himself away in order to focus on perfecting the part.

He told: "He pretty well locked himself up in a hotel room for weeks. He galvanised the upcoming character. That was typical of Heath. He would do that. He liked to dive into his characters, but this time he really took it up a notch."

Heath was found dead at a Manhattan, New York apartment in January 2008. He left behind daughter Matilda, then two, with ex-girlfriend, actress Michelle Williams.

During his time as the character, the method actor kept a diary - which detailed his descent into darkness in the months before his death and it even appeared to include an eerie message that seemed to predict his end (REUTERS)

His cause of death was an accidental prescription drugs overdose, with six different substances detected included painkillers and anti-anxiety medication.

New York’s medical examiner’s office said: "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together."

Heath’s father Kim Ledger reacted to the news by saying: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage."

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