Parent Trap Natasha Richardson had died. Her husband, actor Liam Neeson and their sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12 were with her at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan when her life support was taken off.

45-year old Natasha suffered an apparent head injury while skiing in Canada on Monday.

The fall was normal, and she seemed perfectly fine. But about an hour later, Natasha complained of headaches, and shortly thereafter she was rushed to the hospital unconscious.

The head injury, which likely led to delayed bleeding, resulted in Natasha’s brain-dead.

My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha’s family and friends at this horrible time.

I am sure you must have known by now that John Travolta’s son, Jett, died last Friday.

Jett, 16-year-old, had a seizure and hit his head on a bathtub at his family vacation home in the Bahamas.

I pray that God gives John, Kelly and Ella peace and help them get over the loss of their loved one slowly.

The grieving family of the Hollywood actor Heath Ledger said today: “Our hearts are broken.”

Death notices published in an Australian newspaper paid tribute to the Brokeback Mountain star, who was found dead on Tuesday.

“How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss? You were the most individual old soul in a young man’s body,” the family wrote. “You dreamed your dreams and lived them with passion and intelligent commitment. We have been privileged to accompany you on a ride through life that has simply been amazing and, through it all, we have loved each other beyond imagination.

“Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken.” Matilda is Ledger’s two-year-old daughter with actress Michelle Williams.

The star’s sister, Kate, said her life had been “torn apart” by the tragedy.

“I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart,” she said.

“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’ and I think that, in itself, is the greatest tragedy.

“I will continue to talk with you everyday and love you just as if you were here.”

His mother, Sally, wrote to her “darling boy”: “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 Matilda.”

And his father, Kim, said: “No more chess games, mate… this is it. Couldn’t beat you anyway!

“My body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together.”

The British director Terry Gilliam has suspended work on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the film on which Ledger was working before his death.

In a statement, the film-maker said: “Heath was a great actor, a great friend and a great spirit. We are still in a state of deep shock, saddened and numb with grief.

“Over the coming days, Terry and the producers will be assessing how best to proceed.”

Ledger worked on the film in London last week before flying back to the US on Sunday.

He was found dead in his New York apartment two days later. Police believe his death was drug-related and six types of prescription pills were found close to his body.

At the age of just 26, most people would think themselves to be in the prime of life. But hot mama Britney Spears, it seems, may already be in her twilight years.

With her personal life in meltdown, her mental health in decline, and her potential for longevity compromised by dangerous dalliances with drugs and alcohol, the singer has qualified for an early obituary by the Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news-gathering organisation.

While pre-prepared obituaries are common media practice, allowing for swift publication in the event of a prominent figure’s demise, the AP’s admission yesterday that it has added the still-youthful pop princess to its death files has cast her woes in a sobering new light.

They are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time. Britney seems at risk right now.

Oldies such as Fidel Castro, 81, Pope Benedict, 80, Nelson Mandela, 89, and the Queen, 81, are among those at the forefront of most news media’s death-files, along with other prominent, but younger, world figures considered at risk of an early exit, such as the US president George Bush.

AP holds about 1,000 prepared obituaries, the majority of them on personalities aged over 70, but admits that a smattering of under-30s are in there too.