Click photo to enlarge
This June 2009 file photo shows Brittany Murphy while
working on the set of "Abandoned" in Los Angeles. (AP
Photo/Hybrid Productions)
Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, but anemia and
prescription drugs also played a role, coroner's officials said
today.
The primary cause of death was community-acquired pneumonia,
with contributing factors of iron deficiency anemia and
"multiple drug intoxication," according to the Los Angeles
County coroner's office.
The death was ruled accidental.
Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey declined to specify what
types of drugs were involved but said they were all
prescription medications. Details about the drugs the
"Clueless" and "8 Mile" star had in her system will be
released in several weeks when a complete report is done.
Murphy died on December 20 at age 32 after collapsing at her
Hollywood Hills home. Her mother and husband have said the
actress didn't abuse prescription medications or have an
eating disorder.
Attempts to reach them for further comment were not
immediately successful Thursday.
Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, and mother, Sharon Murphy,
told investigators the actress had been experiencing flu-like
symptoms in the days before she died.
Monjack told The Associated Press last month that his wife
did take several prescriptions, including an anti-seizure
drug, but did not abuse the medications.
He said she had been taking over-the-counter Robitussin for
her recent sickness.
A memorial for a foundation in Brittany Murphy's name that
had been planned for today was abruptly canceled with no
explanation.
Dr Michael Baden, the former chief medical examiner in New
York City, said the coroner's determination indicated drugs
probably played a key role in Murphy's death.
"If she died of pneumonia, that cause of death is a natural
cause," Baden said. He said the use of some prescription
medications can lead to pneumonia, and that the coroner's
office may have listed that as the primary cause to lessen
the blow to Murphy's family.
"It sounds more like it's a drug-related than a natural
pulmonary pneumonia," said Baden, who did not work on the
Murphy case but has served as an expert witness in numerous
high-profile deaths.
He said the quantities and types of drugs Murphy was taking
is key to understanding how she died, as well as how recently
she saw a doctor.
"One doesn't die of pneumonia, usually, that quickly," Baden
said. He also said downplayed the role anemia may have played
in Murphy's death.
