by Shannonn Kelly
6:28PM, EST, December 20, 2009

It it with sadness that I report today the passing of singer, actress Brittany Murphy. She was 32. 

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher and “looked as though she was dead at the scene.” Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 AM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Murphy who dazzled us in her roles in ‘Sin City‘, ‘Clueless‘,  ‘Girl Interrupted‘,  ‘8 Mile‘ and as voice-over actress for the character Luanne in ‘King of the Hill‘, was married to husband, Simon Monjack, a British screenwriter and they lived in Hollywood Hills.

Murphy also had a singing career, originally starting out in musical theater at the age of 14.  On June 6, 2006, Murphy and master dj Paul Oakenfold released the single called “Faster Kill Pussycat”, from the album ‘A Lively Mind’.  The song became a club hit, and hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. It also hit number seven in the UK singles chart in June 2006.

Murphy also sang for the film ‘Happy Feet‘, covering Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland“.

According to Huffington Post

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.

An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but “it appears to be natural,” Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Winter said Murphy’s family was cooperating with the coroner’s investigation but would not be releasing a public statement Sunday. He said funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy’s death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner’s officials were at Murphy and Monjack’s home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.

Messages left for Murphy’s manager, agent and publicist by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Tabloids report that Murphy was reportedly hooked on prescription drugs, including Vicodin, after a series of plastic surgery operations made her dependent on painkillers.

“We have been very worried something like this was about to happen,” a friend told The Sun.

“Brittany has been living life on the edge. She definitely had a drug problem and we have all begged her to seek help. Sadly our words fell on deaf ears.”

Murphy was taking prescription medication for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days, sources have told TMZ.

While many ‘tweets’ about Brittany’s passing are heartfelt from the likes of Hollywood colleagues Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and her ex boyfriend Ashton Kutcher.

Ashton Kutcher (aplusk) 2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon. see you on the other side kid.

Melissa Joan Hart (MellyJHart): I’m so sad to hear of the passing of a peer of mine! RIP Brittany Murphy! We will miss you and all the talent you shared!

Jessica Simpson (JessicaSimpson): Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of Light to so many people. Her smile was contagious. My prayers are with her family and loved ones.

Khloe Kardashian (KhloeKardashian): OMG!!!! This is horrible news when anyone passes. I’m so sorry for her family. Send prayers out please!

Donnie Wahlberg: just wanted to tell you i love u with all my heart! Such a tragedy to hear about britney murphy may she RIP.

Kim Kardashian: I am in shock that Britney Murphy has died! Clueless is my all time favorite movie. My prayers go out to her family and husband

iamshanemorris RIP Brittany Murphy, a talented soul – from Atlanta, GA. Your city will miss you.

Many blog comments focus on her possible cocaine addiction and/or her overweight, disheveled, screenwriter husband who many view as a “con man”.

Canned from her last film and cardiac arrest? Cocaine.
Posted by: oracle2world

COCAINE-SUPPLIED BY HER CON ARTIST SWINDLER HUSBAND, WHO STOOD TO GAIN MILLIONS FROM BRITTNEY’S DEATH. WHY WOULD THE LAPD IMMEDIATELY JUMP TO OPEN AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO HER DEATH? BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE A HELL OF A LOT OF AMMO ON THE CON ARTIST/HUSBAND, THAT’S WHY.
Posted by: schmetterlingtoo

He is a con artist. He conned his last girlfriend out of her car and money. Left her with awful credit. Frequently uses different SS #’s. He left his other girlfriend in London with a $20,000 credit card bill she was unaware of until he was long gone. He is a master at lying. Brittany BEWARE!!!
Posted by: simon

As with every other celebrity story, this will all come out in the media and the facts will surface. I’ll keep updating as we find out more facts.