DJ AM body bag police

DJ AM's body was removed from his New York City apartment this evening, amid throngs of journalists and fans.

It was an eerie reminder of Heath Ledger's death a year and a half ago -- the Crime Scene Unit parked out front, the Medical Examiner's van situated at the front door to receive the body on a stretcher.

An X17 photographer tells us about the scene:

    "Fans were being held back by police barricades and it was a pathetic scene. There was quiet sobbing and a general feeling of shock. It was like we were all standing around, not believing what we were seeing -- this guy, who we all thought had his life together and by all accounts was the nicest guy you'd ever meet -- was being rolled out on a stretcher in a body bag. It was heart-wrenching."