'The Patriot' actress died of an accidental drug overdose

Actress Skye McCole Bartusiak, who memorably
portrayed Mel Gibson's daughter in “The
Patriot,” died of an accidental drug overdose,
the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
confirmed to FOX411.
Bartusiak’s mother, Helen Bartusiak, said at the
time of her death, the actress had been living in
a garage apartment at her parents’ home. She
said the actress’ boyfriend found her
unresponsive on her bed on July 19.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic
Sciences told us her death was a result of
“combined toxic effects of hydrocodone and
difluoroethane with carisoprodol.”
Difluoroethane is a chemical that is typically
inhaled.
Bartusiak made her acting debut in the
television miniseries “Storm of the Century” in
1999 and also had a role on "24" in 2002-2003.
She made her film debut in the “The Cider
House Rules” in 1999 and starred with Michael
Douglas in “Don’t Say a Word” in 2001. Her
most recent move was “Sick Boy” in 2012.
Bartusiak was best known for her role in
Gibson’s 2000 Revolutionary War epic, where
she played the daughter of militia leader
Benjamin Martin who struggles to speak with
her father.
“The Patriot” cast also included Heath Ledger ,
who died after an accidental overdose of
painkillers and sedatives in 2008.