Michelle Williams issued a statement today in her first public comments since Heath Ledger's death Jan. 22.
"Please respect our need to grieve privately," Williams wrote. "My heart is broken."
Williams, who had a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, with Ledger, also said: "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.
"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 in the best memories of him."
Meanwhile, production on Williams' film Blue Valentine has been halted indefinitely. It was set to begin filming February 25, but it has been put on hold until Williams is ready.
Also struggling with Ledger's sudden demise is Matilda's godfather, actor Jake Gyllenhaal. "Jake is taking this harder than most people," a friend said.
