Coroner Says Pneumonia, Drugs Killed Murphy 

LOS ANGELES — Brittany Murphy has joined the ever-growing list of celebrities whose drug use contributed to their deaths.

Murphy, 32, died Dec. 20 after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home. Her mother and husband have maintained that the actress didn't abuse prescription medications or have an eating disorder.

But LA County coroner’s officials said Thursday (Feb. 4) that anemia and prescription drugs played a role, in addition to her suffering from pneumonia.

The primary cause of the death was community acquired pneumonia, with iron deficiency anemia and "multiple drug intoxication" as other factors, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Murphy’s death was ruled accidental.

Alcohol-Drug Education Service has been monitoring the drug and/or addiction-related deaths of celebrities, even before Michael Jackson’s demise last June. A-DES is compiling a comprehensive database of deaths related to tobacco, alcohol and drugs – prescription medications as well as illicit substances – and preparing the information for major, a drug-awareness initiative, DEAD END: Fatal Addiction.

According to the Associated Press, coroner spokesman Craig Harvey would not specify what types of drugs were involved in Murphy's death, but said they were prescription medications. Details about the drugs the Clueless and 8 Mile star had in her system will be released in several weeks when a more complete report is available.

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 press last month that his wife did take several prescriptions, including an anti-seizure drug, but did not abuse the medications.

A memorial for a foundation in Brittany Murphy's name that had been planned for Thursday was abruptly canceled, with no explanation.