Brittany Murphy's Husband May Have Spent Most of Her Money

By Catherine Donaldson-Evans Posted Jul 28th 2010 02:00PM

Seven months after her untimely death, sordid details of Brittany Murphy's troubled life and marriage continue to emerge. Her former business manager, Los Angeles-based accountant Jeffrey Morgenroth, tells PEOPLE that her husband Simon Monjack was squandering the late movie star's fortune just before his own sudden death in May from pneumonia and anemia, which also killed Murphy.

"There were huge amounts of money in [Brittany's] pension plan and bank account, and all of that's gone," Morgenroth tells the magazine. "I would see it on the statements. There was money being withdrawn by Simon, hundreds of thousands."

Morgenroth says Monjack had spent nearly 80 percent of the 32-year-old star's assets in the months between her death and his, rattling the financial future of Murphy's mom, according to PEOPLE.

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Brittany and Simon

Flowers grow outside the home once shared by Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack. The screenwriter was found dead May 24 near the same room his wife collapsed in December. More Images >>

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Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Publicist Roger Neal approaches to hold a press conference outside the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Publicist Roger Neal (R) approaches to hold a press conference outside the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Photographers and reporters look on as people arrive at the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Photographers and reporters talk to people leaving the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Photographers and reporters watch as Publicist Roger Neal approaches for a press conference outside the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Publicist Roger Neal holds a press conference outside the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: A tour bus drives past the home of Simon Monjack after he was found dead by his mother-in-law on May 24, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Monjack, 40, was the widower of actress Brittany Murphy who was found dead at home five months ago on December 20, 2009. The coroner determined she died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication while Monjack's death according to reports may be from natural causes or prescription drug use. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Brittany and Simon

The actress left her entire estate to her 57-year-old mother Sharon Murphy, who was close to both her daughter and son-in-law, and no money to her husband.

"She was looking at the pension statement and I said, 'Look. There are almost no zeros there,'" Morgenroth said of Sharon Murphy. "She needs guidance on how to deal with things."

Morgenroth didn't immediately respond to PopEater's requests for comment.

High-profile women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, who isn't involved in the Murphys' financial dealings, said it's best for the rich and famous to leave money matters to the professionals to avoid being taken advantage of.

"It's important for women celebrities and women in general to handle their own money and their own business affairs," Allred told PopEater. "Mixing love and money can cause problems, and there are danger signs if a celebrity is isolated from family and friends."

Murphy died after collapsing in her bathroom on Dec. 20. Five months later, her British film producer husband was found dead in the couple's home at the age of 40.

Autopsies confirmed the causes of death for both were pneumonia and anemia, with multiple drug intoxication also blamed in Murphy's case. The coroner said she had over-the-counter cold medicines and the pain killer Vicodin in her system.

Reports that household "black mold" may have been a culprit in the couple's deaths have been disputed by Murphy's mother and the Los Angeles Department of Health.

Since the pair's controversial marriage in 2007, rumors have swirled about Monjack's controlling behavior over Murphy, his shady financial dealings and their alleged drug abuse.

Morgenroth says Monjack took his wife's cell phone away and wouldn't let her see him when he came to the door to ask her to sign tax forms, according to PEOPLE.

"The excuse was her hair was messed up," he said. "I was at the front door and Brittany [called down] and said, 'Hi Jeff, sorry I couldn't see you, bye.' It sounded fishy and weird."

Murphy was reportedly fired from the last film she made, 'The Caller,' because she refused to send away a drunk and combative Monjack when he appeared on the set unannounced and disrupted filming.

Monjack also was implicated in a credit card fraud case, charges that were brought in Virginia and ultimately dropped. He spent just over a week in jail in early 2007 for letting his work visa lapse. In 2006, a $500,000 judgment against him was handed down in a lawsuit brought by a financial investment company in England.

His mother Linda Monjack denies that he blew through his dead wife's savings.

"He didn't get much, maybe a few hundred dollars, and he paid off his debts with it," she tells PEOPLE. "He was spending his time crying his eyes out most of the time. He was in a terrible state."

While Monjack's behavior after his wife's death has come under increased scrutiny, it seems his mom is also not immune. Jeannette Bycott, an assistant to Morgenroth, tells PEOPLE that she saw Linda Monjack order Murphy's mother out of their house in a bizarre scene.

"Linda started acting like everything belongs to her," says Bycott. "Before Sharon could say anything, Linda stated the house was now hers."

Tags: brittany murphy, simon monjack

Comments

(77)

Wednesday 28 July

By Marie

Vote down Vote up Report this

I think that Simon and her mother., Sharon, must have had a thing for each other and they both hatched a plan to make Brittany sick, maybe incapacitate her, but not kill her...so they could both control the money..after she died though, and Simon blew through all the money, Sharon, got pissed off and did away with him the same way...so it could look accidental...Hey..it's possible...Anyone know where Geraldo Rivera is...he could check it out..or how about AJ BENZA!

By KARA

This was a poorly written article, I had to read it 3 times, and I am still left confused. If her mom had been left everything, how did he spend the money? Also, why did his mom say everything was hers? Why did her mom let him spend the money?

By RUSSELL

britney murphy rest in peace

By Mark W

Amen.

By jtoose

Oh well!!

By bob gomez

Why is this even considered news. I have never even heard of Brittney Murphy. My life hasn't been affected by the deaths of these two and judging by the family members neither has theirs.

By cb002

She's dead, he's dead. Who cares what happened to her money? People are not as fascinated by this "news" as the media seem to be. Trying reporting on some people and events worth reading about. And, no, that would NOT include Chelsea Clinton's wedding.

By David

AND..., so what ! He's dead too !!

By sandy

Oh Well.

By Biff

What was Brittany doing with that DISGUSTING pig of a man anyway?! It makes no sense! He probably killed her.

By Nico Toscani

Two more dead pill poppers among thousands. Big deal.

By Tammy

I don't understand how he could have access to the money when it was all left to the mother? Either he isn't the one who spent it, or Sharon gave it to him. If he had been taking money that wasn't his then why did it take seven months for this to be found out? And after his death? Something isn't right about this whole story.

By dave

Okay, so he spent the money she left behind. This is not a crime. Therefor, why make a big deal of it? As her surviving spouse, her money became solely his. His to spend as he pleased. Even if it was frittered away. Not my business to tell him how much he can spend, or on what. Not your business either. Not even Mom's business. Nuff said.

Friday 30 July

By Gilbert Grape

Its sad that Brittanys life ended the way it did because I never thought the girl from Clueless would be in a dark relationship where there was drugs involved.You can just look at the guy and tell he is a user and now reading that he possibly was spending all her money wouldn't be a suprised.I heard he died from a *broken heart*?Yeah right more like a broken bastard.

Thursday 09 September

By Tom

Her Husband was totally UGLY and OLD. What did she see on him?

Sunday 25 September

By BrittanyMurphyWeb

A new book in collaboration with Brittany's father Angelo Bertolotti will allege amongst other things that she made a substantial payment to release Simon Monjack from custody. Google "Brittany Murphy and Julia Davis"

Thursday 29 September

There is so much more to this story, google "Julia Davis Brittany Murphy"

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