Brittany Murphy – Was There Something Wicked Surrounding Her Death?

The late Brittany Murphy’s glowing smile and sweet girl-next-door persona grabbed our attention, and our hearts, throughout her successful acting career, which spanned more than a decade. As Murphy’s final movie, Something Wicked, is set for debut next month, more than four years after her tragic death, we remember that there were questions raised regarding the events that surrounded Brittany’s demise.

On December 20, 2009, at the age of 32, Brittany succumbed to death. The official report was that Murphy had been suffering from a combination of pneumonia, iron deficiency, and multiple drug intoxication. The drugs were not illegal street drugs, but legal medications used for the treatment of respiratory infections, reports CNN. The coroner’s report attributed Brittany’s chronic iron deficiency to heavy menstrual periods, which can cause “a weakened state of health and would increase her vulnerability to infection.”

That may seem innocent enough, and cause to believe that Brittany Murphy passed from natural causes. However, when her husband, Simon Monjack, was found dead just five months later, suspicions began to grow. Murphy’s husband passed away in the same bedroom as Brittany, also of pneumonia, iron deficiency, and multiple drug intoxication, of the legal variety. It does make us wonder, if Brittany Murphy suffered from chronic iron deficiency due to heavy menstrual cycles, what caused the same thing in her husband? Very suspicious, indeed.

Brittany’s father, Angelo Bertolotti, became convinced that Murphy and her husband had been poisoned. In 2013, he sent samples of her hair to Carlson Company, a private lab, for evaluation. The report showed findings that Murphy’s hair contained high levels of heavy metals. Bertolotti believed this was evidence that Brittany had been poisoned.

According to the Examiner, Murphy’s father submitted further hair samples to a different laboratory, Exova, which showed abnormally high levels of Barium, Sulfur (ingredients common in pesticides) and other heavy metals and toxins. Bertolotti stated, “These new lab results re-confirm what we already knew. I never doubted the previous test results, but decided to get a second opinion.” He is convinced Brittany was murdered.

Dr. Bruce Goldberger, director of forensic medicine at the University of Florida, reviewed Brittany Murphy’s autopsy report for CNN. In his professional opinion, there were no signs of poisoning. “A hair test alone, without any clinical signs or symptoms, cannot be used to establish poisoning,” he said. “She was a beautiful woman and likely had numerous hair treatments. Chemicals in the hair treatment would alter the chemistry of her hair sample.”

Brittany’s mother, Sharon Murphy, does not believe foul play was involved. She blames mold for the deaths of Murphy and Monjack. The home had apparently been inspected for mold in the months preceding Murphy’s death, but was found to be safe.

It is clear that Brittany Murphy, famous for roles in movies such as Uptown Girls, Just Married and Little Black Book, left this world much too soon, surrounded by controversial circumstances that may never be solved. Brittany has left a legacy that will last for years to come. Her lovely, ever-shining personality will be fondly remembered by the plethora fans who still adore her.

What do you think? Was there something wicked surrounding the death of Brittany Murphy?

[Image credits: Image 1 via Pop Crush, Image 2 via Google, Image 3 via Time]