Brittany Murphy Seriously Ill Before Death – Could Drugs be to Blame?

Actress Brittany Murphy was reportedly seriously ill before her death from an apparent heart attack on Sunday. Murphy may be been suffering from type 2 diabetes, according to a statement made to paramedics by her mother, Sharon Murphy. There is growing speculation, however, that an eating disorder or possible drug use may have been a contributor to the young star’s death. 

Brittany Murphy SF
Brittany Murphy

According to reports from the ongoing investigation into her death, Brittany Murphy told family members she was experiencing ‘flu-like’ symptoms for several days before her collapse and was taking prescription medications for the illness. On Sunday, Murphy reportedly began vomiting uncontrollably early in the morning. The Sin City star collapsed in her bathroom and was found lying in the shower by her mother.

One source, quoted by Perez Hilton, stated there “were a lot…a lot of prescription drugs in the house” when police investigators arrived at the scene. No illegal drugs, however, were reportedly found on scene. US Magazine noted on Monday that Murphy looked extremely emaciated at a red carpet event in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. Murphy long battled rumors she had an eating disorder and a drug use problem, both of which she has repeatedly denied.

An autopsy is on Brittany Murphy’s body is reportedly underway by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. Murphy’s husband, Simon Monjack, allegedly asked that an autopsy not be done. Investigators refused that request due to the mysterious nature of the death, although at this time police say no foul play is suspected.

>> Previously:  Actress Brittany Murphy Dead from Heart Attack at 32

Actress Brittany Murphy Dead from Heart Attack at 32

Actress Britanny Murphy is dead after suffering a sudden heart attack on Sunday in Los Angeles. She was just 32-years-old. Murphy reported suffered full cardiac arrest Sunday morning and died after she could not be revived.

Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy

Britanny Murphy was known for her roles in such films as 8 Mile with rapper Eminem, Clueless, Girl, Interrupted and Sin City. She was also a singer and released the hit club dance track “Faster Kill Pussycat” in 2006. Murphy has not had many major acting appearances recently, although in 2009 she was cast in the starring role for the Lifetime TV movie Tribute. Murphy has also provided the voice of the character of Luanne Platter on the long-running series King of the Hill.

According TMZ.com, a 911 call was placed from the home of Simon Monjack, Murphy’s husband, at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Emergency responders from the Los Angeles City Fire Department attempted to revive Murphy on scene but were unsuccessful. She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. No other information has been released at this time.

Murphy has long been rumored to have a drug addiction problem and has been accused of having an eating disorder and using cocaine to lose weight, but she denied those rumors vehemently. “I’ve never even seen [cocaine]. I am also way too high-strung,” Murphy told PageSix.com in 2005. “I can’t even take a Sudafed. Can you imagine? My God. I think my heart would explode.”

Murphy is survived by her husband, screenwriter Simon Monjack, whom she married in 2007. Prior to her marriage to Monjack, she was briefly engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz and dated Just Married co-star Ashton Kutcher for a short time before his marriage to Demi Moore.

RIP.

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