updated 1 hour, 6 minutes ago

NEW YORK - A rolled-up $20 bill was found near Heath Ledger’s body, though no illegal drugs were found in his apartment, police said Wednesday — the same day an autopsy on the “Brokeback Mountain” actor came back inconclusive.

The bill would be taken to a lab for testing, though no visible drug residue was found on it, police said. NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly released the information at a Manhattan news conference, but did not elaborate on whether police think the bill, discovered on the floor near Ledger’s bed, may have been used to snort drugs.

The Australian-born actor was found dead Tuesday by his housekeeper and a massage therapist — lying naked and face-down on the floor at the foot of his bed, police said. Prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills were found in bottles in Ledger’s bedroom and bathroom, and police said the death was caused by a possible drug overdose and appeared to be accidental.

Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office, said the autopsy on the 28-year-old actor was inconclusive and that more would be known after more thorough tests can be completed. That process was expected to take about 10 days.

Fans left flowers and candles outside his Manhattan apartment on Wednesday. News of the death stunned family, fans and colleagues.

“Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life,” said Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain.”

“He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined — a thirst for life, for love and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking.”

Speaking in Australia, Ledger’s father called the death “tragic, untimely and accidental.”

Kim Ledger called his son “down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish” and “extremely inspirational to many.”

“Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life,” he said. “Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.”

Khaled Ali, 41, a stage manager for a Broadway show, dropped off a candle outside Ledger’s building on his way to work Wednesday morning. He said he and his fellow cast members were devastated.