Fans and friends were shocked by the untimely death of actress Brittany Murphy on Sunday morning. The 'Clueless' and 'Girl, Interrupted' actress went into full cardiac arrest, and paramedics were unable to revive her. Murphy, 32, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the press Sunday evening that the tragedy was likely the result of natural causes, reports Access Hollywood.
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Capt. John Kades of the coroner's office says, "Foul play is not suspected at this time because there were no outward signs of trauma or other injuries," according to PEOPLE.
Some colleagues were concerned about Murphy weeks before her death. The actress showed up for the for the opening of Tt Collection's Pop-Up shop in LA, looking rail thin. Reports that she'd been let go from a film shooting for disrupting the set were denied by her rep, who claimed, "She was not nor has she ever been fired from any job big or small ... [Due] to creative differences Ms. Murphy and the production mutually parted ways."
The director of Murphy's 2008 project 'Across the Hall,' Alex Merkin, said that the actress was always professional but acknowledged she'd been dealing with personal issues. "I just remember she was going through a lot at the time surrounding her husband being in the hospital."
Sources claim that Murphy herself didn't cause the disruption on set - husband of two years, Simon Monjack did. ""Monjack came on the set inebriated," 'Shrinking Charlotte' director Michael Z Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter. "The producers wanted to keep him away. Brittany of course defended him. And so she was let go."
TMZ reports that the actress had experienced flu-like symptoms in the days leading to her death, and that Murphy was seriously ill a few hours before she collapsed. Sources told the website that Murphy began vomiting early Sunday morning. The sources also claimed that authorities found no illegal drugs in Murphy's home, but it is apparent that the actress was taking some prescription medications. After the 911 call, Murphy's mother Sharon told paramedics her daughter was diabetic.
Witnesses told TMZ that Murphy's husband told hospital staff that he did not want an autopsy performed on his wife. However, as part of the coroner's investigation, a pending autopsy has been confirmed.
"We don't have an autopsy scheduled yet, but we will do it as soon as possible," Kades said. "Given all the worldwide attention, if we can get it done [Monday], we will."
"The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy," Murphy's family said in a statement. "She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time."
Murphy made her big splash in Hollywood in 1995's 'Clueless,' in which she played the ditzy character Tai. She went on to co-star in popular films like 'Girl, Interrupted' with Angelina Jolie and '8 Mile,' where she played Eminem's love interest. She was also the voice of Luanne Platter for more than 230 episodes of the popular Fox cartoon sitcom 'King of the Hill.'
Aside from acting, Murphy also dabbled in music occasionally. In 2006, she scored a hit by pairing up with DJ Paul Oakenfold on the song 'Faster Kill Pussycat,' which became a club staple. She also covered two songs -- including Queen's 'Somebody to Love' -- in the animated movie 'Happy Feet.'
Ashton Kutcher, who shared the screen with Murphy in 2003's 'Just Married' and also dated her, spoke out on his Twitter to remember his friend. "See you on the other side kid ... 2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," Kutcher wrote
