If you were a teenage girl in the early 2000s, Brittany Murphy was everywhere in shows, movies, even as the voice of a character on a popular cartoon. Brittany was a beautiful young actress who stared in many well-known movies, such as Clueless and Uptown Girls. She died suddenly in 2009 at the age of thirty-two allegedly from a case of pneumonia and anemia. There are two conspiracy theories involving this case, one being that she did die from pneumonia and anemia, the other being she was poisoned. Let’s explore both these theories and dig deeper.
Brittany Murphy was a beautiful young actress, born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977 (“Brittany Murphy”.) She came upon her fame at an early age and held it even after she passed away. She first began getting cast in national commercials at the age of 13 (1). She starred in many films and shows, even as a voice over on the popular cartoon King of the Hill (2). Although, Brittany was best known for her break-through role in the film, Clueless, where she first appeared as a red-head with chubby cheeks, staring as one of the main characters. Later when she appeared in any other roles, she was slimmer with blonde hair, far from what she was first seen as, nearly unrecognizable. Brittany suffered from anemia, which is why she then appeared slimmer (3).
Those who knew her referred to Brittany as “a little piece of sunshine” (Mascia). Brittany was very charming, she dated many celebrities such Ashton Kutcher, who is a well- known heart throb. She appeared in the film Just Married alongside of him, playing the role of a newly-wed couple in the film, later announcing they were in an actual relationship after the release of the movie (“Brittany Murphy”). Their relationship was short lived. Brittany went on to later marry Simon Monjack, whom she was with during her untimely death (1).
Brittany’s fame soared as she did not only act, she also was in a band (“Brittany Murphy”). She was the whole package. During the early 2000’s you would see her everywhere as that was her prime. There were no limits to her fame. “Brittany's band, "Blessed Soul" was growing with her as lead singer” (1) as she was still making appearances in movies and shows which helped her fandom keep expanding (2). Brittany’s song Faster Kill Pussycat, became a instant club hit, reaching number one on the billboard chart in 2006 (Mascia).
Brittany was known for her sweet, warm heart as she was remembered by her Clueless costar Alicia Silverstone (Mascia). Brittany’s mourning husband also often referred to her sweet childlike heart (1). Her kind heart was something that did not go unnoticed and is in fact how most of her loved ones remember her (2). Even on screen most of Murphy’s roles showed her caring and nurturing side, her pure heart always shined through (Brittany Murphy).
Brittany had a youthful spirit, her husband, (Simon Monjack) once referred to her as “a little girl who wanted her husband right there (Mascia)”. In many of the roles she was casted in she was shown as a vibrant, youthful young lady. Of course, she was young, being only thirty-two at her time of death she just seemed to have a child like quality about her, possibly being a cause of coming into her fame so young she never got the chance to have a real childhood (Brittany Murphy Biography).
Though Brittany Murphy died young that did not make her any less popular, up in till this day she is a popular topic of discussion as her death was so sudden and mysterious. Many question if she really died from Pneumonia, making Brittany the topic of many conspiracy theorists discussions. There are several theories regarding her death.
There are two conspiracy theories behind the death of Brittany Murphy. According to her autopsy report she died from pneumonia and an iron deficiency, making this the first conspiracy theory (“Autopsy Report”). The iron deficiency being said to be caused by her anemia (1). Many people found this strange given her age, thirty-two, and her previously “good” health. “Initially reported as a heart attack, her death was later attributed to acute pneumonia and severe anemia.” (“Brittany Murphy Biography”) Though many found her abrupt death shocking, the public did not question it, considering there was no evidence of traumatic injury (“Autopsy Report”).
The second conspiracy theory being that Brittany Murphy was poisoned by the government Another theory regarding Murphy's death has also surfaced:
According to The Hollywood Reporter, both Murphy and her husband believed that they were being watched by the U.S. government. Murphy reportedly served as a witness for Julia Davis, a Homeland Security employee who revealed problems within the organization. Davis has claimed that the government may be responsible for Murphy's death. (“Brittany Murphy Biography”)
This theory does seem to be a little farfetched, though there is evidence to back it:
At the time of her passing, rumors circulated regarding possible drug use or an eating disorder contributed to her death. Her father offered another theory in November 2013. He released the results of tests done on a sample of Murphy's hair that showed exposure to rat poison. The authorities, however, are not interested in re-opening the case. According to the Huffington Post website, Chief Coroner Investigator and Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said that "We stand by our original reports." (“Brittany Murphy Biography”)
Also, Murphy’s husband, Simon Monjack, died five months later, which only adds to the suspicion of this theory (“Brittany Murphy Biography”). Brittany’s toxicology report detected ten different types of heavy metals, far above any natural or healthy level, which seems crazy considering her autopsy report stated she had an iron deficiency (Pulver, Andrew).
The report goes on to state: "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."(Pulver, Andrew)
Recently there was a documentary made regarding Brittany’s untimely death with Julia Davis as the film maker (Flint, Hanna).
“The film reveals that:
-Murphy and Monjack were on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) watch list;
-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were trying to kick her screenwriter husband out of the country;
-Monjack was arrested over an expired visa - a ruthless tactic to intimidate Murphy after she spoke out in defense of Julia Davis, a former Customs and Border Protection agent.” (Flint, Hanna)
Recently the students of a local college, College of the Mainland, were surveyed asking the question of “Do you think Brittany Murphy died from a case of Pneumonia?”. The results were shocking, no one said yes. Thirty percent of the students believed she was killed by either her mother or husband. Another thirty percent of the students believed she over dosed, a student compared her to a young Amy Winehouse when giving their response, twenty percent of the students believed she was poisoned. The remaining twenty percent of the students believed her death wasn’t a cause of Pneumonia. Everyone seems to believe something different, though many students did not know who she was when hearing name, many realized they knew who she was after seeing a picture of her. A few student’s immediate reaction was “Wasn’t she in clueless?” where Brittany’s fame first began. These are all very common responses given the question of Brittany Murphy’s death which triggered Brittany’s father to say:
"Vicious rumors, spread by tabloids, unfairly smeared Brittany's reputation. My daughter was neither anorexic nor a drug junkie, as they repeatedly implied ... I will not rest until the truth about these tragic events is told. There will be justice for Brittany." (Pulver, Andrew)
Brittany’s father was rightfully upset as that was not the case or the cause of her tragic death (1). He was a father whom never stopped wanting to protect and defend his little girl, the bond between this father daughter duo could not be broken even in the death of Brittany (2). If it was not for her father continuously pushing for justice the information of her toxicology report would have never been discovered:
“Murphy's father Angelo Bertolotti secured the release of tissue samples and submitted them for independent testing.” (Pulver, Andrew)
The conspiracy theories around the death Brittany Murphy are:
1. Brittany Murphy died from a case of Pneumonia and iron deficiency
2. Brittany was poisoned by the government
Many of those theories can be disproven, but there is clear evidence that were toxic levels of metal in Brittany’s system at her time of death (“Brittany Murphy Biography”), at the same time she was already concerned she was being supervised by the government (1) and was fearful for her safety which she had confined about during one of her interviews (2). To reference the quote from before; if you eliminate the possibility of accidental heavy metal exposure, it’s very possibly Brittany was poisoned and did not die from pneumonia (“Brittany Murphy Biography”).
Works Cited
“Brittany Murphy.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0005261/.
Mascia, Kristen. “INSIDE STORY: Brittany Murphy's 'Inner Demons'.” PEOPLE.com, 21 Dec. 2009, 10:30 am, people.com/celebrity/inside-story-brittany-murphys-inner-demons/.
“Autopsy Report.” Medical examiner. “Autopsy Report.” Autopsy Report, 2009.
Pulver, Andrew. “Brittany Murphy Toxicology Tests Suggest Heavy Metal Poisoning.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Nov. 2013, www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/19/brittany-murphy-toxicology-tests-poison.
“Brittany Murphy Biography.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 23 Dec. 2014, www.biography.com/people/brittany-murphy-524050. “Brittany Murphy.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 23 Dec. 2014, www.biography.com/people/brittany-murphy-524050. Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 23 Dec. 2014, www.biography.com/people/brittany-murphy-524050.
Flint, Hanna. “The Government, the Whistleblower and the Hollywood Starlet: Why a New Documentary Blames U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Brittany Murphy's Death.” HuffPost UK, HuffPost UK, 19 Jan. 2013, www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/hanna-flint/brittany-murphy-death_b_2162026.html.
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