Toxic mold played no role in deaths of Brittany Murphy, husband, coroner says

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office briefly examined whether toxic mold played a role in the deaths of Brittany Murphy and her husband, Simon Monjack, but officials say it was quickly eliminated as a potential cause.

Although mold was discussed during the investigation into the separate deaths, it was not a factor, said Ed Winter, the coroner's assistant chief.

“There were no indicators that either death was related to mold,” Winter said Monday.

Murphy, 32, and Monjack, 39, died five months apart in the home they shared with the actress' mother, Sharon Murphy, in the Hollywood Hills.

Brittany Murphy died of pneumonia combined with iron-deficiency anemia and multiple-drug intoxication related to prescription and over-the-counter medications, officials said. She was found in her home, unresponsive, Dec. 20 after suffering flu-like symptoms for several days.

Winter said the final cause of death in Monjack’s case will be released in a few days. His body was discovered in May at the home in the 1800 block of Rising Glen Road. According to sources, Monjack's death was pneumonia- and anemia-related, like his wife's.

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Brittany Murphy. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Eric Watson]

what about the gunshots at her house a few nights before she died?

[Pete Cicero]

Nothing to speculate on here. Right, Los Angeles?

[Patricia]

So where does Jerry Brown stand now? Is he still determined to arrest their killers?

[TruthAboutMold]

Mold can cause serious health problems. For accurate information about the health effects of mold, go to http://achemmic.com.