Brittany Murphy, a Hollywood starlet best known for the movie comedy Clueless, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at the age of 32. Murphy was found dead in the bathroom of her Beverly Hills, California home, according to news reports on CNN. The cause of her death has not been announced, as autopsy results are pending toxicology reports, which will take several weeks.
Brittany Murphy was reportedly found dead by her mother, Sharon Murphy, in the home Brittany shared with her husband. Simon Monjack. Brittany Murphy was taken to Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where she was pronounced dead.
Death by Cardiac Arrest
The death of Brittany Murphy was especially shocking because of her youthful age. Advances in medical science have prolonged human life over previous decades. The untimely death of Brittany Murphy illustrates that sudden death can occur, even at a young age.
While death at the age of 32 is not normal in this day and age, there are several conditions that can cause death. Murphy's death was reported to be due to cardiac arrest. The Mayo Clinic website defines sudden cardiac arrest as the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function. Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, but both are emergency conditions that can cause sudden death.
The cause of Brittany Murphy's cardiac arrest is unknown at this time, but she did have some risk factors, including diabetes and alleged drug use (prescription or otherwise). The coroner called her body weight normal, although some recent pictures show the actress looking abnormally thin and there has been speculation that the actress had an eating disorder. Simon Monjack reportedly stated that Murphy had been sick recently and it is possible that she had the flu.
Brittany Murphy Movie Highlights
- Clueless: 1995
- Drop Dead Gorgeous: 1999
- Summer Catch:2001
- Don't Say a Word: 2001
- Sidewalks of New York: 2001
- 8 Mile: 2002
- Just Married: 2003
- Uptown Girls: 2003
- Little Black Book: 2004
- Sin City: 2005
- Happy Feet (voice): 2006
- King of the Hill (voice): 1997 – 2009
- Tribute on Lifetime TV: 2009
Brittany Murphy Buried at Forest Lawn in Hollywood
Brittany Murphy was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery, the resting place of many Hollywood celebrities, including Michael Jackson. The funeral for Brittany Murphy, held on December 24, 2009, was a small, private affair for the family.
Brittany Murphy is survived by her husband Simon Monjack, her mother Sharon Murphy and her father Angelo Bertolotti. Her parents divorced when she was two and she was raised by her mother.
