L.A. police investigate death of Brittany Murphy

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of actress Brittany Murphy.

Police have been dispatched to Cedars-Sinai and to the Los Angeles home where Murphy, 32, went into cardiac arrest earlier today. Police sources emphasized that their inquiry was preliminary, adding they could not say whether it would point to any criminal conduct. [Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said the house was located in West Hollywood.]

L.A. city firefighters responded to a call from the home in the 1800 block of Rising Glen Road. Murphy was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Born in Atlanta, Murphy moved to Burbank with her mother at age 13. Her film break came in the movie "Clueless" (1995), in which she starred opposite Alicia Silverstone.

Murphy has made dozens of other film appearances, including in "Girl Interrupted" (1999), "8 Mile" (2002), "The Dead Girl" (2006), and "Across the Hall" (2009). She also was featured as the voice of Luanne in the animated TV series "King of the Hill."

Murphy specialized in playing characters who were troubled teenagers or mentally disturbed, according to a biography on industry website Internet Movie Data Base.

Murphy was married in 2007 to British screenwriter Simon Monjack, the website said.

-- Andrew Blankstein and Ching-Ching Ni

Photo: Brittany Murphy at New York Fashion Week in February 2008. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press

Related:

Brittany Murphy gallery: Photos from the actress' career

Comments

[jltdawg]

I always felt that some of her personality came
through in her voice over work on "King of the Hill"

She seemed like a nice, southern girl. Rest in Peace.

[Lloyd]

May this beautiful woman rest in peace. Such a tragic end to a young woman who had a good career with more roles ahead of her. Prayers for her family. So young, so beautiful, so talented and now suddenly gone at 32.

[Tiffany]

This is sad, I really liked her as an actress, she was cute and funny. She really seemed like a good person, I am shocked by this, so young!

[Lee Ann]

I first saw Ms. Murphy in 'Clueless', and thought she was hilarious and talented. What a shame--somehow this terrible circumstance reminds me of when Heath Ledger died. She will be missed. She could play drama and/or comedy, and that is a rare ability.

[Mike]

So in all of the dozens of films she has starred in, you pick "The Dead Girl" to feature in her obit write-up. Classy.

[Diana]

Rest in peace! Good actress!

[Justin Wright]

My condolences to her husband Simon Monjack, and of course her family too. You were lucky to be a part of her life, and I'm sorry to hear of her passing.

I only knew her from film, but she brought a smile every time I watched. Even on my darkest days, she always could make me laugh...I will miss her too.

[Sara]

I loved Britney Murphy since I first saw her on the screen when she played Tai in Clueless. I loved her personality and feel a huge loss now that she is gone. Rest in Peace, you will be missed.

[GLORIA]

I am so heartbroken...

[Pwee]

Wow,I'm speechless. She will be missed without a doubt.Sorry Simon, your love was needed as an angel.

[Brittany Giles]

R.I.P Brittany Murphy

You were a very talented woman and will never be forgotten <3

[Joe]

Since when is TMZ the news authority, it's scary.

[Victoria]

I saw a scarily skinny photo of her earlier this week. My bet is that she died of anorexia - as Karen Carpenter did at the age of 32.

In a quote along with the skinn photo, Murphy claims she has a "hollow leg" and eats everything she wants. Don't think so. She dropped a dramatic amount of weight after Clueless and in "8 Mile" she was just skin and bones.

Too bad- very intense, and very interesting actress.

[jack]

drugs

[PeterPiper]

Oh...such a shame. So young and talented with a great future still ahead of her. Such a sad loss.
I wonder if she took prescription appetite suppressants for weight control, or some other drug? drugs are very dangerous, even the so called innocent ones that can cause heart failure.

I'm so sorry to her mother that this happened to your little girl. May you have strength and God's love to see you thru.

[Emma hartley]

to the family my thoughts are with you. i lost my brother 5 years ago today he was 17. this is so sad

[Rolot Tomasi]

How ironic that another of those Quick Weight loss diet scam/plans is linked right below the online article..
"My wife lost 60lbs. in just a few short weeks."
Obviously one can lose a lot more than that, in the Hollywood thin obsessed environment.
Unfortunately this will not be the last time.

[simma]

Your husband looks suspect!!
Rest in peace britt you brought such an amazing life to your roles. Gone too soon

[Glenn]

I am so saddened by Brittany's death. I don't know or care to know how she passed away. She was way to young and had a very bright future ahead of her as a singer and actress. We miss and love you Brittany! your fan from Miami Shores, FL, Glenn, xo

[cyntmac]

She was actually from Edison, NJ originally.

[nick]

This is really sad. She had a lot of charisma on and off screen. She will be missed.
Rest in Peace Brit.

[Bonnie jedell]

I am so sad. My 2 daughters did commercials in New York with Britttany. She was a great ,warm, caring person.Her mother Sharon offered to drive me and my daughter to a call back on our lunch hour from filming a ChipsAHoy comm'l
Sharon is a wonderful woman and I wish her some way to go on with life.somehow to cope. I cannot imagine her pain.
Bonnie from New York

[mc]

I never thought she looked healthy after Clueless...damned shame, if it's drugs even moreso.

[margo]

Although I only knew her from her movies this girl"s passing affects me.Something about her eyes was so compelling...exotic but sad.My condolences to her family.Gone too soon...

[Karen]

Wow--that photo says it all...