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Brittany Murphy death update: Actress was ill before she died
by Natalie James - December 22, 2009 - comments
LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said that examiners found "no evidence of trauma to the body," adding that determination of Murphy's cause of death, however, will be deferred, "pending the rest of the other tests including toxicology, neuropathology, and histiopathology
Los Angeles, December 22 -- A day after Brittany Murphy's untimely death Sunday, investigators found a huge amount of powerful prescription drugs in the actress’ bedroom, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.
Brittany Murphy, an American actress who got her start in the 1995 film 'Clueless', died Sunday morning, Dec. 20 in her Hollywood Hills home.
The 32-year-old actress was found unresponsive in her bathroom and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m.
Prescription drugs found in bedroom
Los Angeles County coroner investigators who searched Murphy’s Beverly Hills home after she died from a heart attack in the shower discovered numerous prescription pills there.
Notes prepared by investigators and popular celebrity gossip website TMZ.com, say that paramedics found a slew of prescription medications in Murphy’s bedroom.
"A check of the nightstands revealed large amounts of prescription medication in the decedent's name," the investigators noted.
"Also noted were numerous empty prescription medication bottles in the decedent's husband's name, the decedent's mother's name and unidentified third party names."
No illegal drugs found
According to TMZ, the drugs included the anti-seizure medication Topamax, anti-anxiety medications Klonopin and Ativan, pain relievers Vicoprofen and hydrocodone, depression medication Fluoxetine and hypertension medication Propranolol.
No alcohol containers, paraphernalia or illegal drugs were found.
"The night prior to her death, the decedent had consumed some noodles, leftover Thai food, Gatorade, water and tea with lemon," the notes listed.
Attempts were made to revive the actress
The notes also said Murphy had been complaining of shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain for seven to 10 days before she collapsed in her bathroom, and that the actress' husband, Simon Monjack, and mother, Sharon Murphy, made a desperate attempt to revive her before paramedics arrived.
As per the investigative notes, Murphy entered the bathroom at about 7:30 a.m. where her mother found her lying on the floor half-hour later.
Investigators also noted that Murphy's husband Monjack attempted to revive her by placing her in the shower and running the water.
Cause of death can be determined only after toxicology results
Meanwhile, LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told UsMagazine.com that examiners found "no evidence of trauma to the body," adding that determination of Murphy's cause of death will be deferred, "pending the rest of the other tests including toxicology, neuropathology [brain analysis], and histiopathology [analysis of other organs]."
This process typically takes four to six weeks, Winter said.