NewsBite

Brittany Murphy may have been 'poisoned'

A NEW toxicology report ordered by the family of Clueless actor Brittany Murphy raises new questions about the cause of her death.

Brittany Murphy at the UK premiere of 2009 film 'Sin City'. Photo: Supplied
Brittany Murphy at the UK premiere of 2009 film 'Sin City'. Photo: Supplied

A NEW toxicology report ordered by the family of Clueless actor Brittany Murphy says rat poison may have been the cause of her death.

Murphy's mother found her dead at home on December 20, 2009 and the Los Angeles Coroner ruled her death was due to pneumonia and anaemia. Strangely, Brittany's husband Simon Monjack died from the same causes a five months later.

But an independent report ordered by her father Angelo Bertolotti found that the actor did not die of natural causes, according to The Examiner. The report even suggests that Brittany and Simon could have been murdered by a third party.

Following years of litigation Bertolotti was able to obtain samples of her hair, blood and tissue for testing. The Examiner reports that "based on the symptoms" exhibited by Brittany and Simon before their deaths, he ordered testing for heavy metals and toxins. According to the report the Los Angeles Coroner did not test for heavy metals.

Brittany Murphy and husband Simon Monjack at the BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia Awards. Photo: AP
Brittany Murphy and husband Simon Monjack at the BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia Awards. Photo: AP

The web site quotes the lab report, "Ten (10) of the heavy metals evaluated were detected at levels higher that the WHO [The World Health Organisation] high levels … If we were to eliminate the possibility of a simultaneous accidental heavy metals exposure to the sample donor then the only logical explanation would be an exposure to these metals (toxins) administered by a third party perpetrator with likely criminal intent."

Heavy metals are found in many rat poisons and insecticides. At the time of her death, Brittany displayed the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning including: headaches, dizziness, abdominal cramps, coughing, sweating, disorientation, wheezing, congestion and pneumonia.

"Vicious rumours, spread by tabloids, unfairly smeared Brittany's reputation," said Angelo Bertolotti. "My daughter was neither anorexic nor a drug junkie, as they repeatedly implied. Brittany and Simon were ridiculed by The Hollywood Reporter, when they complained of being under surveillance and in fear of their lives. I will not rest until the truth about these tragic events is told. There will be justice for Brittany."

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/brittany-murphy-may-have-been-poisoned/news-story/8f13c122039f9827420c39837de7fb2d