Cardiac Arrest

Brittany Murphy’s Cause of Death: Drugs, Foul Play or Natural Causes?

December 21, 2009 By Holly Stafford 3 Comments

Brittany Murphy, actress and wife to Simon Monjack, died at age 32 from cardiac arrest yesterday. New details on the tragedy are emerging, while accusations and rumors are flying with everything from drugs to anorexia to her husband coming under suspicion. But how did she really die – was it drugs? Foul Play? Natural causes? Certainly its not ‘natural’ for someone so young and full of life to just pass away, was it? Her family told Los Angeles officials that she was extremely ill in the days before her death. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter says they will conduct an autopsy today to try to determine what killed her. He says the reported illness could be a contributing factor to her death, but that it will be weeks before a final determination is made. Prescription medications were taken from Murphy’s home and officials say they will contact her personal physician to get a better sense of her medical history. An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required and could take up to six weeks. Winter says Murphy’s death appears to be from natural causes.

Per PopEater:

Capt. John Kades of the coroner’s office says, “Foul play is not suspected at this time because there were no outward signs of trauma or other injuries,” according to PEOPLE.

TMZ, which first reported that Murphy died after going into full cardiac arrest, has since reported that Murphy was very ill in the hours prior to her death and that she was taking prescription medications for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days. Sources also told TMZ that Murphy was vomiting before she died Sunday and that several types of prescription drugs were found in the house.

“There were a lot … a lot of prescriptions in the house.” We’re also told authorities did not find illegal drugs in the house, but Murphy was definitely taking various prescription meds.

Murphy collapsed inside the home she shared with husband. Some reports indicate he is the one who found her, while others claim it was her mother Sharon, in the bathroom of her home where there was ‘a significant amount of vomit’ in the room. A neighbor reports seeing the paramedics attempting to revive Murphy, who appeared then to be dead. She was transported to Cedars-Sinai, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10:04 a.m. Murphys’ mother also told paramedics that she suffered with Type 2 diabetes, but people connected to the case believe its highly unlikely that contributed to her death. Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy’s death, with detectives and the coroner’s officials at Murphy and Monjack’s home Sunday afternoon.

In somewhat of a creepy turn, Perez Hilton predicted Brittany’s death in a radio interview earlier this month. When radio host AJ Machado asked Perez if there was another celebrity headed for the same fate as Michael Jackson, Perez reportedly said, “Brittany Murphy maybe.” Did he know something we don’t? Perez has since blogged a warning to Lindsay Lohan and Courtney Love to straighten out their act so they won’t be next – let’s hope he’s not right the next time! But Murphy had said that 2010 was the year she had planned to try for a baby with her husband, although she also somewhat foreshadowed her own death in a statement made in 2003.

Per Bumpshack:

“Everybody has difficult years, but a lot of times the difficult years end up being the greatest years of your whole entire life, if you survive them.”

No matter how ill she was, she was still too young to die. It’s a shame that we had to lose such a talented actress. We wish Murphy’s family and friends all the best during this difficult time. Feel free to leave your condolences below.

Celeb Reacting To Murphy’s Death:

“2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon. See you on the other side kid.” – Ashton Kutcher

“I’m so saddened to hear this news. I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm and so sweet. I always felt connected to her as we shared a very special experience in our lives together. I feel love in my heart for her-and hope she is at peace.” – Alicia Silverstone

“Brittany was one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She had the voice of an angel and a genuine heart of gold. I’m very happy to have known and worked with such a special person. My heart goes out to all of her loved ones.” – Donald Faison

“It is a terrible loss for us as actors and to the industry but even greater for her family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.” – Whoopie Goldberg

“My deepest condolences go out to all of Brittany Murphy’s loved ones & may she rest in peace. She was a great talent with a beautiful soul. XO.” - Lindsay Lohan

“Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of Light to so many people. My prayers are with her family and loved ones.” – Jessica Simpson

“I met [Brittany Murphy] before her star rose. It’s tough to find peace in fame. I wish her peace and happiness in her next lifetime.” – Russell Simmons

“My heart aches having just learned of Brittany Murphy’s death. We were friends time-to-time through the years. I always admired her pure spirit.” – Eliza Dushku

“So sad this is truly a waste. feeling regret we didnt’ do more. i love you so much Brittany and always will.” – Kathy Najimy

“I am beyond words by the loss of Brittany Murphy. I was so blessed to know your grace. My heart goes out to your mama loved ones.” – Soleil Moon Frye

Filed Under: Celebrity Couples, Celebrity Crime, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Health, Celebrity Loss, Celebrity Quotes, Drugs and Alcohol, Lindsay Lohan, Real News Tagged With: Accusations, Alicia Silverstone, Anorexia, Ashton Kutcher, Assistant Chief Coroner, autopsy, Brittany Murphy, Captain John Kades, Cardiac Arrest, Cedars-Sinai, Coroners Officials, Courtney Love, Death, Diabetes, died, Dies, Donald Faison, Drugs, Ed Winter, Eliza Dushku, flu-like symptoms, Foreshadow, Foul Play, ill, Interview, investigate, Investigation, Jessica Simpson, Kathy Najimy, Lindsay Lohan, Medications, Michael Jackson, Natural Causes, passes away, Perez Hilton, Prescriptions, radio, Russell Simmons, Sick, Simon Monjack, Soleil Moon Frye, Suspicions, TMZ, Toxicology test, Vomit, Vomited, Whoopie Goldberg

Brittany Murphey Found Dead

December 20, 2009 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

Actress Brittany Murphy went into full cardiac arrest and died this morning in Los Angeles. An emergency call was made about 8am Sunday morning from husband Simon Monjack’s home, the L.A. Fire Department was quoted as saying. She was rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but pronounced dead on arrival. Her time of death was listed as 10:04 AM.

Sources tell TMZ Brittany Murphy’s mom discovered her unconscious in the shower. We’re told when paramedics arrived, they quickly determined Murphy was in full cardiac arrest and immediately administered CPR.

Murphy was born in Atlanta and began acting as a young teenager in a series of television appearances. Her breakthrough role was in the 1995 hit “Clueless” with Alicia Silverstone, and was well-known for her roles in “8 Mile,” and most recently “Sin City.” Murphy also provided the voice for Luanne Platter in popular animated television series “King of the Hill.” She married British screenwriter Monjack in 2007.

Murphy made headlines earlier this month when her husband had a brief health scare that led him to the hospital. And she reportedly parted ways on bad terms from production of the upcoming movie “The Caller.” Earlier in her career, Murphy was accused of having an eating disorder which some believed was tied to a cocaine habit, but she strongly denied the accusations.

Murphy was only 32 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this time.

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Filed Under: Celebrity Couples, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Loss, Movies, Television Tagged With: 8 Mile, Alcia Silverstone, Brittany Murphey, brittany murphy cardiac arrest, Brittany Murphy Dead, brittany murphy simon monjack, brittney murphey, brittney murphy, brittney murphy dead, brittney murphy died, Cardiac Arrest, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Clueless, died, Dies, Heart Attack, King of the Hill, Los Angeles, Luanne Platter, passes away, Simon Monjack, Sin City, The Caller, TMZ

Rue McClanahan Hospitalized

November 5, 2009 By Cara Harrington 3 Comments

We have another Golden Girl down! My favorite of the foursome is battling a few heart issues. Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Devereaux, is being treated for acute cardiac illness. Despite being under the weather she is in good spirits.

She was due to attend ‘Golden: A Gala Tribute to Rue McClanahan’ in San Franciso on November 14th, but will not be able to attend. Her doctor has set strict orders for rest and some testing.

“My darlings, I’m just devastated that I am going to have to miss my own tribute at the Castro Theatre,” she said in a statement on Wednesday from her hospital room. “Unfortunately, my doctor has laid down the law, and I’m currently having some maintenance on the old ticker. Trust me, I’d much rather be in San Francisco having fun and being adored by all of you.”

Upon hearing the news that she was in the hospital, the gala organizer, Marc Huestis is contemplating on postponing the event.

All the Dames wish her quick and full recovery.

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Filed Under: Celebrity Health Tagged With: Blanche Devereaux, Cardiac Arrest, Golden: A Gala Tribute to Rue McClanahan, heart, Rue McClanahan, Rue McClanahan Hospitalized

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, Dead at Age 50

June 25, 2009 By Holly Stafford 3 Comments

Today is a very, very sad day. On the heels of Farrah Fawcett‘s passing, news has surfaced that Michael Jackson has also died. He was only 50 years old. The legendary pop star suffered cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his home in Holmby Hills. A 911 call was made from his residence at 12:21pm pacific time. When paramedics arrived on the scene, Michael is said to have stopped breathing, with no visible pulse. After not being able to revive him, he was then was rushed to UCLA Medical Center and was said to have slipped into a coma for a short while before being pronounced dead around 3:15pm pacific time. The L.A. Times confirmed his death.

Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits included “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” had been rehearsing lately in Los Angeles for the past few months. A spokespersons for Jackson so far could not be reached for comment. Michael is survived by three children, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

What a very sad week in Hollywood, indeed. First Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, and now Michael Jackson. Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to the family and friends.