HEATH LEDGER'S CASKET STARTS TRIP HOME

American fans will pay tribute to late actor Heath Ledger next week at a public memorial service in Los Angeles California. Australia’s foreign minister Stephen Smith gave no details of the remembrance ceremony, but confirmed a private service had been held in New York on today where members of Ledger’s family joined the actor’s ex-fiancee Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda to pay their respects.The casket then began its two-day journey to the actor’s hometown of Perth, Australia, where Ledger will be laid to rest at a family funeral next week.The 28-year-old was found dead in his New York apartment last week. Police believe his death is drug-related as sleeping pills were found by his bed.