Simon Monjack, Brittany Murphy's Widower, Found Dead in Los Angeles

By PopEater Staff Posted May 24th 2010 08:00AM

Simon Monjack, the husband of late actress Brittany Murphy, was found dead Sunday night in his Hollywood Hills home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was 39. The screenwriter was reportedly found by his mother-in-law, Sharon, in the master bedroom of the house he once shared with Murphy.

"The preliminary cause of death is natural causes," Sgt. Louie Lozano told the Associated Press. Another police spokesman, Sgt. Alex Ortiz, said, "We concluded there were no signs of foul play or any criminal activity involved."

Ortiz said that the coroner's office was taking over the investigation because criminal activity had been ruled out.

According to his spokesman, Monjack was due for a heart bypass. "Simon needed a [heart] bypass. I was told he needed a bypass, and I said to him, 'Simon, you have so much going on, let's keep you healthy.' I said, 'You want to be healthy. Don't you?' He said yes, but he said, 'The bypass can wait,' " his rep told PEOPLE.

Officials told reporters that a 911 call for a medical emergency was placed at 9:46 PM Sunday night. When emergency responders arrived at the home, Monjack was pronounced dead. It's unclear if medics tried to revive him.

Watch the 'Today' Show Interview w/ Monjack:

No illegal drugs were found in the house, according to Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.

Sharon Murphy, Brittany's mother, also lives at the home.

Brittany Murphy was found dead Dec. 20 in her bathroom by Monjack. The final coroner's report, released Feb. 23, states that she had "elevated levels" of Vicodin and drugs from over-the-counter cold medicine in her system, but no illegal substances. The office concluded Murphy's death was accidental, but likely preventable. She was 32.

In an interview following the results, Monjack said, "I took very good care of my wife ... She was on an antibiotic and she was taking cough medicine and doing all the right things."

At her funeral in December, a visibly emotional Monjack talked about their relationship and called her his best friend and soul mate. He had said that they had been planning a family and contemplating a move to New York.

Monjack and Sharon Murphy recently took the 8,000 sq. ft home off the market, reportedly because they did not feel comfortable showing the home to potential buyers. It went up for sale in March for $7.25 million.

Monjack -- who penned and produced 2006's 'Factory Girl' -- wed Murphy in 2007 in a small, private ceremony at their house. The marriage seemed to come out of nowhere, as the couple never announced their engagement and hardly ever made public appearances together.

Their nuptials came amid a swirl of controversy. According to an Us Weekly report -- which has since been taken off of their website -- Monjack, who is British, was on the verge of being deported because he overstayed his visa. He split from his ex-wife just months before marrying Murphy.

Tags: brittany murphy, simon monjack

Comments

(203)

Monday 24 May

By Melanie

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So sad. God rest his soul.

By sam

he either took his life or it was natural cause.

By amanda

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From the looks of the whole situation Britney was murdered by her husband and mother. Def foul play is a major part in this awful situation. It appeared the two had some sort of weird thing going on between the two of them on diff interviews that I watched. He probably trusted his mother-in-law and she took him out. Now the whole fortune will be hers.

Tuesday 25 May

By Vicki

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Amanda, you are such a douche bag! Google the 911 call that her mother made, you will hear that the mother was distraught on the call. I just can't stand when people spread venimous lies and rumors in which they have no evidence.

By JEREMY

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Actually,Amanda,it's EXACTLY THIS TYPE OF SCENARIO that's formed the basis of many of the best known Murder Mysteries in Literature and Film. Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane would have both had a field day with this one. Don't be surprised to see this turn up as an episode of a CSI next season. All that aside,my condolences to all the surviving family that are touched by this incident.

By jcbrod1

He lost his meal ticket..this was probably easier than getting an actual job. He was very eerir looking and sneaky. no loss sorry ma

By Barbara

Something is strange with the mother. She looks like she is on something.

By jillian

and why do they claim both she and corey haim, two people with drug histories and her an obvious eating disorder..died of (him) pneumonia and "natural causes" and her pneumonia and multiple drug toxicity..

By katana

Oh the tragedy, not, no sorrow here and if the Mom did off him I hope she is never convicted the man was pure slime

By wreckonice

Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. It is unjust 2 want him murdered. U might try 2 repent 4 saying that.

By diva

this is scary and really sad

By rachelhope26

OMG She DID NOT kill her daughter! What is wrong with you people??!! She might have seeked revenge on Simon and drugged him, but she and her daughter were very close!! I believe her mother was mentally ill, so she was living with them. I guess the question would be: Why was Simon still living there?

That was my point exactly. I did not question the mother's right 2 B in the home because I knew she inherited it. But why was the son-in law still there? He could have moved elsewhere and not had all the curious and shocking stories about him and the mother appear 2 have validity. This entire situation needs Perry Mason.

By wadisplace

Both wife and husband dead in same house, just months apart. Both young. Sounds like someone pissed off the Mafia.

By Jules

If I were the Mom, I would definitely sell the house and move out after having two people dead there, including her own daughter. Maybe he OD because of missing his wife and maybe her mom is like a "Monster In-Law." Granted, he doesn't seem like any kind of prize himself, but who's to know why people fall in love. RIP.

By smoke1066

Please people, she was diabetic with a history of prescription drug use, and she accidentally overdosed. My guess is her hubby also was prone to take to many pills(birds of a feather and all)and probably started taking more after her death. Bet we find this to be another overdose, and most likely by his own hand either accidental or otherwise.

By MoonBabe

Sounds like a murder/suicide.

By Sharon

This is very sad and disappointing to hear. I've heard many times over that when one spouse dies, the other follows closely behind. Although, this normally may be true for senior citizens but not so much for people Simon's age.

Frankly, if it was natural causes, I think he just died of a broken heart. He lost his wife who he was probably very much in love with and he just couldn't live without her.

It's just a coincidence that both Brittany and her husband died under mom's watch. I don't think she had anything to do with her daughter's nor son-in-law's death. I just now think she has more to deal with again. Until the police cry foul play, I'm not interested in any weird conspiracy theories.

By mikey

again, died of a broken heart. those of you who never truly loved will never get it.

By Sherry

I agree it happens all the time. Brittany had a heart condition her mother says and her husband said he took seizure med, if I haven't gotten them mixed up. I believe the video said her cause of death wasn't really confirmed. I think he , like many other spouses, died of a broken heart and it would be so horrible if her mom was in on "anything"...May Brittany&her hubby Simon R.I.P. and maybe together forever. Both taken so young.

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