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Brittany Murphy Likely Died From Natural Causes, Says Coroner

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 21st 2009 07:58AM

Fans and friends were shocked by the untimely death of actress Brittany Murphy on Sunday morning. The 'Clueless' and 'Girl, Interrupted' actress went into full cardiac arrest, and paramedics were unable to revive her. Murphy, 32, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the press Sunday evening that the tragedy was likely the result of natural causes, reports Access Hollywood.

Capt. John Kades of the coroner's office says, "Foul play is not suspected at this time because there were no outward signs of trauma or other injuries," according to PEOPLE.

Some colleagues were concerned about Murphy weeks before her death. The actress showed up for the for the opening of Tt Collection's Pop-Up shop in LA, looking rail thin. Reports that she'd been let go from a film shooting for disrupting the set were denied by her rep, who claimed, "She was not nor has she ever been fired from any job big or small ... [Due] to creative differences Ms. Murphy and the production mutually parted ways."

The director of Murphy's 2008 project 'Across the Hall,' Alex Merkin, said that the actress was always professional but acknowledged she'd been dealing with personal issues. "I just remember she was going through a lot at the time surrounding her husband being in the hospital."

Sources claim that Murphy herself didn't cause the disruption on set - husband of two years, Simon Monjack did. ""Monjack came on the set inebriated," 'Shrinking Charlotte' director Michael Z Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter. "The producers wanted to keep him away. Brittany of course defended him. And so she was let go."

TMZ reports that the actress had experienced flu-like symptoms in the days leading to her death, and that Murphy was seriously ill a few hours before she collapsed. Sources told the website that Murphy began vomiting early Sunday morning. The sources also claimed that authorities found no illegal drugs in Murphy's home, but it is apparent that the actress was taking some prescription medications. After the 911 call, Murphy's mother Sharon told paramedics her daughter was diabetic.

Witnesses told TMZ that Murphy's husband told hospital staff that he did not want an autopsy performed on his wife. However, as part of the coroner's investigation, a pending autopsy has been confirmed.

"We don't have an autopsy scheduled yet, but we will do it as soon as possible," Kades said. "Given all the worldwide attention, if we can get it done [Monday], we will."

"The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy," Murphy's family said in a statement. "She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time."

Murphy made her big splash in Hollywood in 1995's 'Clueless,' in which she played the ditzy character Tai. She went on to co-star in popular films like 'Girl, Interrupted' with Angelina Jolie and '8 Mile,' where she played Eminem's love interest. She was also the voice of Luanne Platter for more than 230 episodes of the popular Fox cartoon sitcom 'King of the Hill.'

Aside from acting, Murphy also dabbled in music occasionally. In 2006, she scored a hit by pairing up with DJ Paul Oakenfold on the song 'Faster Kill Pussycat,' which became a club staple. She also covered two songs -- including Queen's 'Somebody to Love' -- in the animated movie 'Happy Feet.'

Ashton Kutcher, who shared the screen with Murphy in 2003's 'Just Married' and also dated her, spoke out on his Twitter to remember his friend. "See you on the other side kid ... 2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," Kutcher wrote. See More Stars Tweeting About Murphy >>>

Tags: brittany murphy, BrittanyMurphy, simon monjack, SimonMonjack

Comments

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Monday 21 December

By BIlly Ray Casanova'

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Damn...Brit' We just Spoke Last Week ! Pls. Everybody, Respect' YOUR-BODY..Health & Everyday your Alive & Loved. Too Many GOOD Souls... Dyeing Before, there time. SLOW'...DOWN ! just slow down. " Rolln' w. the hommies " Xoxo Casanova

Tuesday 22 December

By Brandon Greenberg

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Who says she has a good soul?

Monday 21 December

By AliB

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Barak...
why the derogatory statement? that was uneccesary...NIG NOG talk? wtf...was it because he said 'rollin with the homies'?? fyi, that was from the movie Clueless. back to what our mothers taught us...if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. thank you.

Monday 21 December

By Hot Tea

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Casanova was just quoting some lines from some of the movies she was in you idiots!

Monday 21 December

By Truth2984

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This is just Internet talk, it does not have to exemplify mastery of the English Language. Billy Ray is just expressing his condolences for Ms. Murphy and was quoting some lines from the movie. And to critique someone for not using proper grammar, words, etc., when your names don't reflect that (i.e. barackluvscrack, 48rulzem) is idiotic. So next time you have a thought...maybe you should just let it go.

Monday 21 December

By kimbo2424kim

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Hey truth why should anybody listen to an idiot like you. Maybe next time you have a thought it will be a miracle. And I am sure everbody can't wait for you to tell them what to do.

Monday 21 December

By Deanne

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Thanks for mentioning "Roll'n w/ the hommies. I can still hear her singin it and crying over Eldon. She was so cute. Watched one of her old episodes on Letterman and realized her laugh was contagious. She will be missed. Those of you who didn't know her or know of her missed out.

Monday 21 December

By craig

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A 30 something does not die of natural causes! There's nothing natural about a young person's death.

Monday 21 December

By hrtofmttr

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Actually young people die more frequently than you realize of natural causes. Mostly due to undiagnosed heart defects. Still, it's such a tragedy.

Monday 21 December

By D.

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I totally agree. At 32yrs. no one dies of natural causes unless there was always a history of illness. This sound like something that had to do w/her weight or drugs. And what sounds even more fishy is why her husband didn't want an autopsy done. Or why someone as pretty as Brittany was married to someone like that guy. He was no looker. For that matter, why would she have to quit an acting job because of him.

Monday 21 December

By Lorri

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You're an IDIOT, you can die of natural causes at any age.... My grandfather was 39 when he died of a heart attack, and my dad was 49 when he died of a heart attack.. Not everyone in acting acts like Lindsey, Paris Brit Spears...

Monday 21 December

By Cat

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Any age can die from natural causes, dummy. That's why they are natural. My 11 year old nephew died from a massive heart attack while at swim practice.

Does this mean her death will be from natural causes only time will tell and tongues will wag.

Monday 21 December

By ntspcljustmyself

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ok for one, women can die IN THERE 20'S from heart disease, why can't they die in their 30's of natural causes?!?! you people are so damn ignorant it isn't even funny, who the F**K are any of you to decide how this woman died?? let her REST IN PEACE for God's sake, you sick son's a b!tches

Monday 21 December

By Debilyn

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I agree with you.. Nothing natural about it...
God Bless her family.. So sad any time, but has to make the Holiday Season pretty tough to deal with..

Monday 21 December

By Lesha

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There are teenagers who drop on football fields, basketball courts, baseball fields because of underlying heart problems. That would be a natural cause. Maybe that is what Brittany had. My heart goes out to her family and I pray that they are able to remember her for the great person she was and get through this hard time leaning on each other and God.

Monday 21 December

By Frank

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"natural" meaning it wasnt murder...no one is saying a heart attack is normal for a young person but thats not what the city is saying....they are simply discussing possible murder or not.

Monday 21 December

By mrs.rogers

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Anyone can see she is malnourished-that takes a toll on your heart, then add stress-boom, your dead-it is considered a natural cause to neglect your heart health, then die because it is natural for your heart to fail if it is not nourished-food contains nutrients that our bodies need to function properly-there are other ways to keep weight off, you don't have to kill yourself. Now her loved ones are heartbroken...was it worth it??

Monday 21 December

By desi

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they did say she was ill with flu like symptoms and MANY people have died this year from H1N1 that had other health problems such as diabetes

Monday 21 December

By Oregon

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Do any of you "Idiots",understand what natural causes means?. Obviously not. Whether you have a pre-existing condition or not.You can die at any age of a cause, that is considered natural.Lots of natural occurring incidents that cause you to go tits up.

Monday 21 December

By gor

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The coroner issues a statement without an autopsy that she likely died from natural causes? really? 30 year old women fall down and die from natural causes and that can be determined pre autopsy? If it turns out she died from drugs or something else when will we ever believe that person again.

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