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
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
Rest in peace! Great actress! I wonder what happened to her? Families need to let people know exactly why someone died so that more lives can be saved in the future!
Posted by: Cagney | December 20, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Oh my God! I can't believe she is dead. I grew up watching her countless times in "Clueless". What a loss! I would like to offer up condolences to her family and friends. I speak for myself in wishing that 2009 would just go by already; it has been a year of loss and regret...
Posted by: Brian | December 20, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Can this god-foresaken year end already before we lose anyone else?
Posted by: troy | December 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I am sorry to see such a great life gone to fast. It seemed that you had it all. I am sad to see you go, I'm very sorry for your MOM and Husband. I pray for your peace with god in heaven...
GOB BLESS...AMEN...MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU....
Posted by: jason green | December 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
To Joe: TMZ is an authority since they scooped the world reporting the death of Michael Jackson.
RIP Ms. Murphy.
Posted by: Rocco | December 20, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Sorry to hear that Brittnay past away, RIP
Condolens to her family
Best regards
Michael
Posted by: Michael | December 20, 2009 at 02:39 PM
It's so sad when someone dies at Christmas time, particularly when it's a young person looking forward to the future.
God bless her husband and family and may He give them comfort and peace. My heart is with you.
Posted by: Gramma Rocks | December 20, 2009 at 02:43 PM
I have saddened by Brittnay's death. I recently watched her on a show on lifetime and thought, oh how beautiful she was and what a beautiful smile. My prayers are with her family.
Posted by: Jane Hamilton | December 20, 2009 at 02:51 PM
I think at 32 she was coked out which caused her to go into cardic arrest
Posted by: lou | December 20, 2009 at 03:23 PM
She did fantastic vocals on the Oakenfold track called Faster Kill Pussycat. One of the few actresses who could have a great singing career. RIP.
Posted by: sophie | December 20, 2009 at 03:29 PM
How sorry I feel for this poor girl. So young, so talented. I won´t even say: Why do coke? Because we all know what our real world is like! I know many people think "You go for
getting high? You´re public enemy! But I say to all young people: If you do coke, SET YOUR LIMITS, it´s no sense to die for this.
Posted by: Alejandra | December 20, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Drugs are bad, kids.
Posted by: pho ga | December 20, 2009 at 03:34 PM
People die everyday. Why is it that people are fascinated with celebrities?
There are tons of good people die each day and they are never recognized.
Who Cares..
Posted by: Cindy Smith | December 20, 2009 at 03:50 PM
omg.....i cant believe that brittany murphy died since today when she was 32 years old and i feel bad for her because i just found out from my friend in text messages in my phone so im really upset already well i hope i will pray for her!!!!
Posted by: Helen | December 20, 2009 at 03:52 PM
love ya brittany murphy my lovely sweet woman forever and i will never forget u the day of my life!!!!!!!
Posted by: Helen | December 20, 2009 at 03:54 PM
rest in peace
Posted by: justin harjo | December 20, 2009 at 03:58 PM
I don't usually comment on these things but I feel shocked and heartbroken for her family right now so close to the holidays. She was funny, charming, and a great talent. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family today.
Posted by: lama | December 20, 2009 at 04:23 PM
While she is pending the investigation of her death, i suspect that she may be undernutrition.
Posted by: Los Angeles | December 20, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Such a great actress with so much more to give; seemed troubled after the breakup with Ashton Kutcher; Sorry she never found true happeness after the breakup. She always seemed so out of sorts, sad, depressed. Evidently her marriage was not enough for her...so, so sad
Posted by: Gretchen | December 20, 2009 at 04:34 PM
you can read about her death at http://www.ripBrittanyMurphy.com
Posted by: ed | December 20, 2009 at 04:42 PM
im so sad to hear about her passing she was a young and a beautifal actress she will forever be missed and in my heart
Lucy Stuglin
Posted by: lucy stuglin | December 20, 2009 at 04:46 PM
drugs, without a doubt. in some form or another, wether it is Rx or street, drugs will be the cause of death. 32 year olds don't just die, think about it. very sad, indeed.
Posted by: kendy | December 20, 2009 at 05:23 PM
I'm saddened by the news of anyone dying of heart disease especially at such a young age. Of course I'm curious if she had any warning or underlying conditions that may have predisposed her to sudden cardiac death (as it appears from the information in the press). Assuming that medications or substances have been excluded, the list of such "inherited" disorders would include Congenital long QT syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , or anomalous coronary anatomy. All of these are potentially detectable. We should take this tragedy as an incentive to be in touch with our hearts and care thereof.
R MD FACC
Posted by: The "DOCTOR" | December 20, 2009 at 05:40 PM
THE FIRST TIME I SAW MRS MURPHY WAS IN 8 MILE SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER SHE WAS GORGEOUS AND IN SIN CITY THEY BLEW ME AWAY WHEN I SAW HER IN THE MOVIE I'M SHOCKED I CAN'T BELIEVE MY LOVE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY
Posted by: PACS | December 20, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Too bad. Obviously drugs. All self inflicted.....
Posted by: DinCali | December 20, 2009 at 05:58 PM