Michelle Williams Speaks Out on Heath Ledger's Death

Michelle Williams has released her first statement since the death of former fiance Heath Ledger last week.

“Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken," Williams, 27, said in the statement.

"I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day," she continued.

"His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still.

"She will be brought up with the best memories of him," Williams' statement concluded.