Haunting Details from Brittany Murphy’s Final Days
On the morning of December 20, 2009, actress Brittany Murphy collapsed in the bathroom of her Hollywood Hills home. She lived there with her mother, Sharon, and her husband, Simon Monjack. In a heart-wrenching 911 call, Sharon exclaimed, "My daughter’s passed out. She was dizzy, she couldn’t walk right, she’s had a cold." Tragically, two hours later, Murphy was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The once lively star was just 32.
The shocking news left many in disbelief. How could a young actress of means die from pneumonia? Questions emerged: If Murphy was ill, why didn’t anyone take her to the doctor? Speculation roamed; rumors of an overdose or poisoning filled the media. Some alleged her death resulted from an eating disorder or toxic mold, US Weekly reported.
Concerns grew when Murphy's husband, a controversial 39-year-old British writer-director, initially refused an autopsy. Friends expressed fear. Kathy Najimy, an actress, recounted, "We all were scared and freaked out," referencing the unsettling aftermath captured in the 2021 documentary What Happened, Brittany Murphy? Just five months later, Monjack followed his wife’s fate, dying in their home under similar circumstances, intensifying suspicions.
In the years since Murphy's death, fascination with her life and demise has persisted. Dr. Lisa Scheinin, a retired L.A. County Deputy Medical Examiner, performed her autopsy. She confirmed Murphy's cause of death as accidental, due to pneumonia, and compounding issues like anemia and prescription drug intoxication. Despite this, she always emphasized that Murphy’s tragic end could have been prevented.
No illegal drugs or alcohol were found in Murphy's system. However, the coroner identified 90 prescription bottles at the couple’s bedside, indicating apparent misuse. In addition, her anemia, partly due to heavy menstrual bleeding, could have been addressed with medical assistance. "A doctor would likely have sent her for blood transfusions," Scheinin stated. Murphy's hematocrit level was dangerously low, shocking those reviewing her case.
Unfortunately, myths about her death often overshadow Brittany Murphy’s achievements. Stars akin to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean often come to mind, according to Alex Merkin, director of Murphy's final released film in her lifetime. He remarked, "She was a bright, talented, one-of-a-kind actress who we lost way too soon."
Makeup artist Trista Jordan, who collaborated with Murphy on Something Wicked, expressed her regret over not being able to help the star. She noted, "Brittany left an impact on a lot of people's hearts. She truly was a sweetheart. I think if she hadn’t met Simon Monjack, she’d probably still be alive."
Earlier, SSP wrote that Ralph Fiennes approves of Cillian Murphy as Voldemort.