Skip to main content

Coroner finds Simon Monjack's death was similar to Brittany Murphy's

By Alan Duke, CNN
A coroner spokesperson says Simon Monjack's cause of death was the same as that of his wife, actress Brittany Murphy.
A coroner spokesperson says Simon Monjack's cause of death was the same as that of his wife, actress Brittany Murphy.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: Murphy's mom: "Reckless innuendos" about drugs should stop
  • The coroner says he found that drugs didn't play a role in the British screenwriter's death
  • Monjack's cause of death was the same as that of his wife, Brittany Murphy, he says
  • Murphy died of a combination of pneumonia and an iron deficiency, the coroner says
RELATED TOPICS

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Simon Monjack's death two months ago was caused by acute pneumonia and severe anemia, according to a Los Angeles County coroner spokesman.

"Just like Brittany," Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said, referring to actress Brittany Murphy, Monjack's wife, who died five months earlier.

Some prescription drugs were detected in his system, but not in lethal levels, Winter said.

Sharon Murphy issued a statement saying the preliminary findings should "stop the reckless innuendos that my daughter and son-in-law misused any kind of prescription medications."

"It is with great relief that Simon's preliminary autopsy findings have been released, so the media speculations can stop," Murphy said. "As I was sure of, just like my daughter Brittany, there was no kind of drug overdose."

One more test will be conducted, at Monjack's family's request, before a full autopsy report is released in about two weeks, Winter said.

Monjack, a 39-year-old British screenwriter, was found dead at his Hollywood home May 23, according to the coroner's office. Murphy, his wife of less than three years, died in the same home last December.

Murphy, 32, died from a combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and multiple drug intoxication, a coroner said. The drugs involved were legal and used to treat a respiratory infection, according to an autopsy.

The often bubbly, free-spirited actress appeared in films such as "Clueless," "8 Mile," "Don't Say a Word" and "Girl, Interrupted."

She also lent her voice to animated works, including the movie "Happy Feet" -- in which she also sang -- and a regular role on the animated TV series "King of the Hill."