Entertainment
Coroner: Pneumonia, drugs killed Brittany Murphy
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, but anemia and prescription drugs also played a role, coroner's officials said Thursday.
The primary cause of the death was community acquired pneumonia, with contributing factors of iron deficiency anemia and "multiple drug intoxication," according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
The death was ruled accidental.
Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey declined to specify what types of drugs were involved in Murphy's death but said they were all prescription medications. Details about the drugs the "Clueless" and "8 Mile" star had in her system will be released in several weeks when a complete report is done.
Murphy died Dec. 20 at age 32 after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home. Her mother and husband have said the actress didn't abuse prescription medications or have an eating disorder.
Attempts to reach them for further comment were unsuccessful.
Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack and mother, Sharon Murphy, told investigators the actress had been experiencing flu-like symptoms in the days before she died.
Monjack told The Associated Press last month that his wife did take several prescriptions, including an anti-seizure drug, but did not abuse the medications.
He said she had been taking over-the-counter Robitussin for her ailments.
A memorial for a foundation in Brittany Murphy's name that had been planned for Thursday was abruptly canceled, with no explanation.
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