Brittany Murphy was a rising star in Hollywood, known for her roles in Clueless, Sin City, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted.
With her charming performances, she captured the hearts of audiences throughout the 90s and 00s.
However, her life would take a tragic and mysterious turn, ending at just 32 years old.
Though her death was initially believed to be due to natural causes, questions surrounding the circumstances remain unresolved, adding layers of mystery to her passing.
Brittany Murphy's Final Moments
On December 20, 2009, Brittany Murphy was discovered unconscious in the bathroom of her Hollywood Hills home by her mother, per the Mirror.
After reportedly calling for help, she was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died shortly afterward.
The initial conclusion from the Los Angeles County Coroner was that Murphy died from pneumonia, with a severe iron deficiency and intoxication from over-the-counter medications contributing factors in her passing.
Deputy medical examiner Dr. Lisa Scheinn, who contributed to the investigation, revealed in the 2021 HBO series What Happened, Brittany Murphy? that Murphy could have been suffering from pneumonia for some time before her death.
Dr. Scheinn explained: "If she had gotten to a hospital early enough, you can detect pneumonia on the chest X-ray. It's very easy to do. They could have possibly started treatment. But she would've had a chance."
At the time of her death, Murphy’s iron levels were critically low. Her haemoglobin level was reported as “very anaemic,” at just 3.0 - far below the normal range of 12 to 15.5. This alarming deficiency raised further questions about the actress’s health leading up to her death.
Simon Monjack’s Untimely Passing
Just five months after Brittany Murphy's death, her husband, Simon Monjack, tragically passed away under eerily similar circumstances.
In May 2010, Monjack, who was 40 years old, was found dead in the same home. His cause of death was also attributed to pneumonia, anaemia, and intoxication from prescription medications, mirroring the conditions that contributed to Murphy's death.
This strikingly similar pattern in their deaths led to widespread speculation and fueled various theories about the cause.
Theories Surrounding Their Deaths: Poisoning, Eating Disorders, and Toxic Mould
The mysterious deaths of the couple sparked numerous theories, ranging from poisoning to the effects of an alleged eating disorder, per the Daily Record.
However, one theory that gained significant traction was that toxic mould in their Hollywood Hills home might have been responsible.
Some amateur sleuths speculated that mould spores in the house infiltrated their lungs, causing the fatal pneumonia.
Despite the growing online buzz surrounding this theory, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office Assistant Chief Ed Winter dismissed the idea outright.
Winter explained that both toxicology reports and autopsies found no evidence of mould contributing to either of their deaths. "There were no spores found in either of their lungs," Winter stated, putting an end to the mould theory.
Allegations of Poisoning and Independent Investigations
The mysterious circumstances surrounding Brittany Murphy's death were not over. In 2013, Murphy’s father, Angelo Bertolotti, pushed for further investigation into his daughter's death.
He commissioned independent toxicology tests after accusing Murphy’s mother, Sharon, of poisoning the couple. Traces of metals were reportedly found in the couple’s hair, which led Bertolotti to suggest foul play was involved.
However, these allegations were never substantiated. The toxicology tests conducted on Murphy’s remains revealed no traces of poison, and the metals found in their hair were believed to have come from everyday items such as hair dye or hairspray.
Additionally, there were no signs of heavy metal poisoning in the bloodstream or nail patterns, further debunking the theory of poisoning.