Shocking Facts And Theories About The Tragic Death Of Brittany Murphy

Actress Brittany Murphy died mysteriously in the home she shared with husband Simon Monjack on December 20, 2009. She was only 32. The Clueless star's career had suffered in recent years and rumors of substance abuse abounded, but Murphy was still vibrant and larger-than-life. For many her death was a total shock and is still yet to be resolved.

Despite an initial report by the coroner that said she died of "natural causes" related to pneumonia and anemia, the final report (with newer toxicology tests) concluded Murphy stopped breathing after ingesting prescription and over-the-counter painkillers, medications such as hydrocodone, and acetaminophen in addition to the effects of pneumonia and anemia. These strange toxicology results suggested she was possibly poisoned. But who was involved?

Many questions surfaced. Who exactly was her husband Simon Monjack, and what was behind his spotty reputation? Was Brittany's death caused by these powerful pain medications, and if so, how was she getting them? Or was it something more sinister, like rat poisoning?

As Brittany Murphy conspiracy theories multiplied, her case became one of Hollywood's classic unsolved mysteries. From the strange circumstances surrounding her death to her husband's eerily similar death only months later, Murphy's case has always reeked of foul play and maybe even a murder cover up.

Of all people, Britney Spears was the previous owner of the "cursed" Hollywood home where Brittany Murphy died. Spears lived there with Justin Timberlake and sold the home to Murphy in June 2003 for $3,850,000. She reportedly found the place sinister. In recent years, it's undergone a "ground up" renovation and is currently on the market for $19.7 million.

According to a source familiar with the home, it's been "totally transformed," hopefully to the point that "all of that bad mojo is finally gone." Another source said the deaths are as shocking today as they were back then. "No one could have predicted a tragedy of this magnitude would occur at this house at the end of the quiet cul de sac."

Husband Simon Monjack died only five months after Murphy, most likely from a similar mix of over-the-counter medications and the effects of pneumonia and anemia. According to renowned pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht (who famously worked on President Kennedy's assassination case) it isn't impossible for two people to die of pneumonia in the same house during such a short period of time, but "it is pretty darned rare."

The LAPD has never officially stated they believe these deaths to be criminal in nature. However Murphy's father certainly thinks so: "I have a feeling that there was definitely a murder situation here," he said in an interview. 

A foundation in Murphy's name launched by Monjack and her mother Sharon was supposed to help fund arts education for children - except it wasn't an actual registered charity. The foundation solicited money before TMZ discovered it was a fraud. 

Monjack and Sharon said they were too overcome with grief to properly file paperwork with the state and federal government registering the charity, but others questioned whether the duo was profiting off the death of Murphy.