Update: Brittany Murphy Dies; Death Investigation Underway
Credit: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
Actress Brittany Murphy, 32, died Sunday morning at 10:04 a.m., a spokeswoman for L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center told the Associated Press.
Although the hospital rep wouldn't confirm Murphy's cause of death to the AP, TMZ reports that the actress suffered full cardiac arrest. An emergency call was made from the L.A. home of Murphy's husband, screenwriter Simon Monjack, at 8am.
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A source tells TMZ that Murphy's mother discovered her unconscious in the shower. When paramedics arrived, they determined that the actress was in full cardiac arrest, and they began to administer CPR. They continued their CPR attempts during the ambulance trip to the hospital, but Murphy was unresponsive. The star was pronounced dead on arrival after arriving at Cedars-Sinai.
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An autopsy may be performed Monday, Radaronline.com reports. An investigator from L.A. County Coroner's office is scheduled to interview attending physicians as well as Monjack and Murphy's mother, Sharon.
A rep for the LAPD confirms to UsMagazine.com, "There is a death investigation involving the actress Brittany Murphy," with a full statement expected later on.
Murphy's family has released the following statement to UsMagazine.com: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."
Upon hearing the tragic news, Murphy's estranged father, Angelo Bertolotti, told the Associated Press, "she was just an absolute doll since she was born...Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her."
Bertolotti, a former mob member who served prison time on federal drug charges, hadn't seen his daughter in several years. "She was just so talented," he said. "I loved her very much."
Murphy appeared in such films as Clueless, 8 Mile, Don't Say a Word and Sin City, and voiced the character of Luanne on TV's King of the Hill.
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333this world was never meant for one as beautiful as Brittney Murphy...
this world was never meant for one as beautiful as Brittney Murphy...
Tony Dahlin BIG congratulations on your big win race car WIn!!! Just heard your girlfriend, Brittany Murphy, Has passed! you must be SO sad. Ted
I knew her and I know her! I loved her and I liked her. She, just like the most of us, was a human being. The rest of you (the christians)should be ashamed! (2010)Doesn't your relegion require, that people who behave like you, spend most of your eternity in your "hell"? Hmm!?! Tony Dahlin
I woke up that Sunday morning just two days into my own withdrawals and recovery from my Opiate/Norco addiction and to my husband saying "I'm following the News and you know that Brittany Murphy girl, the one you said is a friend of your cousin's?" I got this huge knot in my stomach and replied, "Uh yeah... Omigod, did she die or something?" and when he said yes... I was just in absolute and complete utter shock! Even more shocked into the reality about the effects of the abuse and lethality of opiates (Oxicontin, Vicodin, Norco, Morphine and the list goes on). That could have been me I thought and broke down... Sadly, I was diagnosed with a dehabilitating disease after nearly dying in a hospital from being septic w/infection. After many months of ER visits and unable to manage my pain/symptoms I finally received a rather devastating diagnosis but learned that it was some ways manageable. I was prescribed Norco (each one equal to two 500 mg strength vicodin) for pain. Unable to physically and mentally cope with my disease I first took the Norco for pain... than I took it to prevent the pain... and when I did not have pain I would continue to take this prescribed medication every day because of the high and the seemingly numbing feeling it would provide to me; I felt able to cope. It got to the point where I'd run out of my prescript early (unfortunately I had a doctor that would give them to me early or provide me with higher dosage whenever I asked and even deterred me from getting help when I came to her and asked her not to prescribe them to me anymore)... I'd borrow pills from friends, family and buy from other sources and when I would run out, Iâ??d even resort to the use of oxicontin (a very deadly and scary drug). It took me a year to realize what was happening to me (and many nights on very high overdose levels of prescription drugs, forcing myself to breath and honestly afraid to fall asleep or that I might not wake up) and to admit to myself that I â??am an addict and I'm abusing my prescript drugs; drugs nonetheless... less than two months to the day that I admitted to my husband that I had a severe problem (by then everyone in my immediate family had started to take notice and concern), and I asked him to take control my prescription and hand them to me like a child until I reach the courage to seek help through a place that provides help of detox and recovery. That day came sooner than I thought and Iâ??m so happy I made the choice of life and to free myself, and my family from my addiction; just two days before the death of Brittany! This isn't just some thing (disease and addiction) that happens in Hollywood. People (hundreds of thousands, maybe millions?) everywhere are either dying from or becoming addicted to drugs of all kinds everyday even when it's not at first non-intentional (I became a victim of my own genetic disease and in the process acquired an addiction)... It can happen to anyone and it hurts everyone! I wish Brittany could have saved herself! All I know is that she died at the age of 32 from â??Cardiac Arrestâ?? and that's NOT NATURAL... She obviously died of something disease related, whether it is the drug addiction disease, eating disorder disease, genetic disease; or combination of the three. So very sad, may she rest in peace and that her family finds peace! If you are a person reading this that may think that they may have any drug or disease related addiction or a eating disorder please be strong enough to seek help, and don't live another day in your battle in fear that you may not wake up to see tomorrow... YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There are so many caring and understanding people in recovery clinics or your primary healthcare that can help get you through, and help you to overcome your disease/addiction. I ask that you put your pride and any embarrassments aside and GET HELP NOW AND NOT PUT IT OFF TO LATER... Brittany ran out of time (she will be missed...), you do not have to do the same... and to Monica: She's in a better place, period!
omg brittany was one of my heroes! she was beautiful and talented! she will be missed!!
Monica is absolutely right. I KNOW Jesus Christ IS the only name that will get you into heaven. Count on it.
Beautiful Lady, so YOUNG to die, so sad and strange..possible drug over dose- wrong mixture-She was her husbands meal ticket..he seems weird..She may have just started over doing pills and under eating..Who knows..She is or was a Doll, sweet, joyful, Pretty and Sparkling..Class Act
Gosh, I really liked her. I wonder where she went after her death ( her soul lives forever somewhere). There's only 3 options I know of. 1, she went to heaven, ( I heard you can only get there through Jesus Christ). 2 She went to hell (I heard you end up there without Jesus Christ), or 3 she ceased to exist; however, I don't believe she ceased to exist because she lived with doing too many accomplishments on this earth not to be recognized. I feel if you live on this earth and it has an impact what is reality ( I heard the bible tells us what reality is). I hope not pray (because now it's too late to pray) that she went to heaven.
i am so glad that there's an investigation
It looks like to me, although she was a very attractive young lady, that she starved to death. She was rail thin and you don't get that way unless you fail to eat.
I'm glad there's an investigation, and that they are actually taking tissue samples. When a husband that is stricken with grief, all of a sudden does not want an autopsy, it raises a whole line of questioning. It does seem like a poisoning.
2009, is a year where there were alot of celebrity losses with MJ with cardiac arrest, Farrah to cancer & now Brit to cardiac arrest, not to metion controversy with Tiger. Also the sudden loss of a young Heath Ledger within recent years to a pescribed pill overdose. But his death not in 2009, its a huge concern, all these celebrities dying young/middle aged and most of unatural causes HUGS TO HEAVEN TO CELEBRITIES AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE Sylvie Mom to Lilike (Lily) Locke & Anjeni-Katalin facebook dot com forward slash kewpiedolls
May Brittany rest in peace with the angels. It's very sad she is gone at such a young age, I still cant believe it. She was such a beautiful girl with alot of talent. I always loved her acting since the first day she started making movies, she also had a beautiful voice. May god be with her family during this difficult time. My heart goes out to them. I know I won't ever forget her.
What a beautiful talented girl, inside and out. RIP Brit! The world will never know the actress you could have been!!!
It is always a tragedy to hear of anyone...dieing - but one so young, and talented. My deepest sympathy to Brittany Murphy's mother, husband, father, family and friends. Hopefully, before a lot of unfounded gossip gets flung around...privacy of her family should be respected. Prayers are being offered - may she rest in peace.
why does her husband deny not knowing the cause of her death we all know she's a classic case of drug addiction gone bad fess up young man and let your conscience come clean
I hope that all of the 2009 deaths is a wake up call for all celebrities, whether you're abusing any type of drugs/alcohol, or have any health issues thats not being taking care of. Please, please take care of your body and health. You have no idea when your time is and 32 years old is very young so we can go at anytime. This is so sad and I was very upset when I came home from a fun filled x-mas day to hearing the news about Brittany. She was one of my favorite actress' and I will truely miss her. Now we have another angel in heaven. Rest in Peace sweet Brittany.
brittany's husband was taken to the hospital at the end of November with bizarre symptoms (he was returning from mexico). He could have been carrying the swine flu. or perhaps he was bringing back bad drugs. one of which killed Brittsny?
Shame on all that say bad comments at this time. may You be lifted in prayer in this season. Sorry to the family for all the bad sayings out their shame on them. Bless the family in these trying times....