Brittany Murphy, known for her roles in popular films like Clueless and Sin City, tragically passed away at the young age of 32 in 2009. The circumstances surrounding her death, initially believed to be natural causes, remain somewhat mysterious.
On December 20, 2009, Brittany Murphy was discovered collapsed in her Hollywood Hills residence by her mother, who had been called for help. She was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital but unfortunately succumbed shortly thereafter.
According to the official LA County Coroner’s report, Brittany Murphy’s cause of death was attributed to pneumonia, exacerbated by a severe iron deficiency and the presence of over-the-counter medications in her system.
In a recent HBO documentary titled What Happened, Brittany Murphy?, Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Lisa Scheinn suggested that Murphy may have been battling pneumonia for some time without proper treatment. Dr. Scheinn highlighted the possibility of detecting pneumonia through early medical intervention, which could have potentially saved Murphy’s life.
At the time of her passing, medical reports indicated critically low iron levels in Murphy’s body, with her haemoglobin levels significantly below normal ranges.
In a perplexing turn of events, Brittany Murphy’s husband, Simon Monjack, tragically passed away just five months later in the same house under similar circumstances. Speculations arose regarding possible foul play, including theories of poisoning or the effects of an alleged eating disorder. Some speculated that toxic mold in their home may have contributed to their deaths.
Despite online speculation, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office dismissed the theory of toxic mold involvement after thorough toxicology examinations found no evidence of mold-related causes in either of their deaths.
Murphy’s father, Angelo Bertolotti, raised suspicions of foul play and conducted independent toxicology tests in 2013, alleging poisoning by Brittany’s mother. However, these claims were unsubstantiated as no traces of poison were detected in the toxicology reports, with the metals found in their hair likely originating from common household items.
Following her daughter’s death, Murphy’s mother, Sharon, has largely withdrawn from the public eye, choosing to lead a secluded life away from media attention.