Brittany Murphy Cause of Death: Pneumonia, Anemia, Accidental Drug Intake

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said today that actress Brittany Murphy's cause of death was pneumonia "exacerbated" by multiple drug intoxication.

Chief Investigator Craig Harvey ruled it an accident.

Murphy also suffered from iron deficiency and anemia, Harvey said, adding that the star, who died December 20, "wasn’t the healthiest person in the world."

Though a number of prescription drugs were found in her bedroom, her husband Simon Monjack claimed that she was only taking Vicoprofen and Fluoxetine.

The latter is an antidepressant to treat menstrual cramps. Harvey said the drugs in her system "will be in the toxicology report" to be released in a few weeks.

R.I.P. Brittany Murphy (1977-2009).

He said that all drugs were "oral medications." Meanwhile, other sources close to Brittany Murphy's autopsy have said the star's death was "preventable."

By that, they mean Brittany's condition was "treatable" but no one took Murphy to the hospital in time. Too much self-medicating with various drugs "pushed her over the line" but the underlying problems were the pneumonia and anemia.

Murphy weighed 115 pounds at the time of her death.

Monjack was questioned a second time this week about what meds Brittany was taking and where they came from. Also, officials want to know why she didn't see a doctor in the months leading up to her death if she was so noticeably ill.

READ MORE » Brittany Murphy Cause of Death: Pneumonia, Anemia, Accidental Drug Intake

Brittany Murphy Dies of Heart Attack

Actress Brittany Murphy is dead after tragically falling into full cardiac arrest this morning and could not be revived by medical personnel, according to reports.
The New Jersey native was only 32 years old.
A 911 call was made at 8:00 a.m. from a home in Los Angeles that is believed to be owned by her husband, Simon Monjack, the L.A. Fire Department said.
Murphy, whose film credits include Clueless, 8 Mile and Don't Say a Word, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and was pronounced dead on arrival.

R.I.P. Brittany Murphy (1977-2009) passed away this morning.
While the circumstances resulting in Murphy's cardiac arrest are not known at this time, the actress' young age is bound to raise plenty of suspicions and questions.
Brittany wed Simon Monjack in May 2007, after which she has largely been absent from the spotlight. Her last big films were Sin City (2005) and Happy Feet (2006).
It's far too early to speculate about any drug use being involved, but Monjack himself was just hospitalized after a bizarre incident at LAX airport November 30.
We'll keep you posted as more details become available ...
UPDATE, 5:00 p.m. EST: According to TMZ, Brittany's mom discovered her unconscious in the shower. When paramedics arrived, they quickly determined Murphy was in full cardiac arrest and immediately administered CPR.
The paramedics continued CPR en route to the hospital, but Murphy was unresponsive and pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The LAPD has launched an investigation.
UPDATE, 6:30 p.m. EST: Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, told hospital staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center he did not want an autopsy performed on her.
His reasoning for that request is not known. However, despite Monjack's wishes, the L.A. County Coroner's office will in fact perform an autopsy on Murphy.
Murphy's mom apparently told paramedics that Brittany had a history of diabetes. It is unclear if that's true, or if it contributed to her death in some way

READ MORE » Brittany Murphy Dies of Heart Attack