Cause of Brittany Murphy's death revealed

A coroner's report says it was drugs and pneumonia that killed the star

Brittany Murphy & Simon Monjack - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
Brittany Murphy & Simon Monjack - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
(Image credit: Rex Features)

A coroner's report says it was drugs and pneumonia that killed the star

A coroner has ruled that Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, with intoxication from prescription drugs.

BRITTANY MURPHY RETROSPECTIVE

The Clueless star passed away aged just 32 on 20 December, and her family - and many fans - have been waiting ever since to discover what exactly caused her death.

And finally results from a number of toxicology, histological and neurological tests have been released.

Pneumonia was cited as the primary cause of Brittany's death, with contribution from anaemia and ‘multiple drug intoxication,' according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

The Coroner's spokesman did not list which drugs were involved, only saying they were all prescription.

But he did say more information would be released when the report is completed.

Brittany's husband Simon Montjack reportedly told those investigating her death that she had been experiencing ‘flu like symptoms' in the days before she died, and had been taking over the counter medication.

But he has since said that the star seemed ok on the day she passed away, describing her as 'not that ill'.

And sources involved in the autopsy have said her death was ‘preventable', according to gossip website TMZ.com.

'L.A. County Coroner officials believe Brittany's condition was 'treatable' but no one took her to the hospital in time,' TMZ claimed.

BRITTANY MURPHY: A LIFE IN PICTURES

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