How did Brittany Murphy Die? Details beginning to emerge

Brittany Murphy from 2006

*UPDATE* February 4, 2010 – Coroner releases Brittany’s cause of death as pneumonia, anemia, and elevated levels of drugs in her system.

*UPDATE* January 17, 2010- Brittany Murphy’s autopsy results are being delayed by 5-6 weeks. Her mother Susan has recently vocalized that Brittany’s heart murmur condition may be responsible for her death.

Details about the death of 32-year-old actress Brittany Murphy are beginning to surface as police and the coroner’s office continue their investigation into her untimely death on the morning of December 20, 2009.

Notes written by Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office investigator Blacklock reveal a much clearer picture of the events leading up to and just after Brittany’s death stemming from cardiac arrest on the morning of December 20. Murphy “had been complaining of shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain” since as early as December 10 and entered the bathroom on the morning of December 20 at around 7:30 AM.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Brittany’s mother Sharon Murphy discovered her unconscious body and yelled out for assistance. Brittany’s husband Simon Monjack came from the bedroom and attempted to revive Brittany by placing her under the water in the shower. Sharon called 911 but by the time paramedics arrived on the scene, Brittany was “without signs of life.”

Brittany was moved from the bathroom to the bedroom where paramedics found a large variety of prescription drugs. “A check of the nightstands revealed large amounts of prescription medication in the decedent’s name. Also noted were numerous empty prescription medication bottles in the decedent’s husband’s name, the decedent’s mother’s name and unidentified third party names.”

From TMZ:

According to the notes, the medications included Topamax (anti-seizure meds also to prevent migraines), Methylprednisolone (anti-inflammatory), Fluoxetine (depression med), Klonopin (anxiety med), Carbamazepine (treats Diabetic symptoms and is also a bipolar med), Ativan (anxiety med), Vicoprofen (pain reliever), Propranolol (hypertension, used to prevent heart attacks), Biaxin (antibiotic), Hydrocodone (pain med) and miscellaneous vitamins.

The notes say, “No alcohol containers, paraphernalia or illegal drugs were discovered.”

Also indicated in the notes is that Brittany’s medical history included instances of hypoglycemia, including an incident while filming in Oregon in April of 2009 that required a trip to the hospital.

Husband Simon Monjack told the investigator that Brittany had a history of severe menstrual cramps and that was prevented him from being overly concerned about her shortness of breath and severe abdominal pains leading up to her death on the morning of December 20.

Read the complete story, including some graphic details that include what Brittany had for dinner the night before, at TMZ.com

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