Heath Ledger's family arrived back in Australia on Tuesday on the final leg of the Oscar-nominated star's long journey home following his premature death last month in New York. The actor's father, Kim, and other relatives who touched down in the family's home city of Perth on Tuesday afternoon were ushered immediately from the plane and into an elevator by private security guards and at least one police officer. Local media reported that the late star's father, mother, sister and others were then driven across the tarmac and out of the airport.

There was no immediate indication that the actor's remains were also aboard the flight.

Ledger died in his New York City apartment Jan. 22. He was 28. Authorities suspect a drug overdose, but the cause of his death is still pending the outcome of toxicology tests. Police said several prescription drugs were found in the apartment where his body was found.

Details of funeral arrangements for the "Brokeback Mountain" co-star have not been announced, and the mother of his 2-year-old daughter Matilda, actress Michelle Williams, has requested privacy for those in mourning.

The family will reportedly hold a private ceremony, and either bury his remains or have them cremated and interred at the family's plot at a cemetery in Perth, where his two grandparents lie.

Ledger's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, didn't immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press seeking comment.

As Ledger's hometown prepared for his funeral, residents of this idyllic and isolated city in the southwest corner of Australia expressed sadness at his sudden death - and outrage at rumors that he was a drug user.

"If a person dies, let him go in peace. All this rubbish they bring up about drugs and everything else, I think it's a lot of rubbish," said Margaret Byrne, a 58-year-old catering supervisor at Royal Perth Hospital.

Much of that speculation was fueled by video footage showing Ledger at a Hollywood hotel party where drugs were being taken two years ago.

Ledger was a big source of pride for Perth - a metropolis of some 1.3 million people that lies one on the edge of Australia's vast Outback and is thousands of miles from the nearest major city.

"It's probably the biggest news we've had in Perth in a long time," said Shannon Harvey, film critic at The Sunday Times. "He's probably the highest-profile star who's ever come out of Perth."

Written By MIN LEE