Brittany Murphy: Was she killed by swine flu

ACTRESS Brittany Murphy may have died from swine flu and had been taking prescription drugs “for days”, it was claimed yesterday.

Brittany Murphy glows in this picture taken in 2006 Brittany Murphy glows in this picture taken in 2006

The star, who died after a suspected heart attack, aged just 32, is said to have had a medicine cabinet full of pills, including the painkiller Vicodin, also taken by Michael Jackson.

She had suffered severe flu symptoms the week before she died, it has emerged. Los Angeles coroner Ed Winter said Murphy died from “natural causes” and was last night due to carry out a post-mortem examination – apparently against the wishes of her husband of two years, British screenwriter Simon Monjack.

But speculation was growing that the actress, who suffered from type two diabetes, may have had swine flu.

Patt Morrison, Hollywood reporter for the LA Times newspaper, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m wondering if it isn’t the flu – the H1N1 virus with perhaps an underlying weakness of the system.

“She was exactly in the age group it hits. She was nauseous and vomiting before her death and cardiac arrest is often the cause of death linked to this type of flu.” Brittany, who starred in 8 Mile and Clueless, collapsed in the shower on Sunday at her Beverly Hills home and was discovered by her mother Sharon. A source told entertainment website TMZ: “There were a lot of prescriptions in the house.”

Her family paid a glowing tribute to their “shining star”, with her father Angelo Bertolotti saying she was “an absolute doll”.

“Her personality was always outward,” he said. “Everybody loved her – people that made movies with her, people on a cruise – they all loved her. She was just a regular gal.”

Last night the star’s final television interview became one of the most watched clips on the internet.

Speaking earlier this month, the star described her love for her family, her charity work and her ballet regime.

Appearing distracted and incredibly frail, she admitted she was “a bit thinner than what I would like to be”.

In the video, Brittany maintained she kept in shape with exercise, healthy eating and ballet. “What it does to your body is incredible,” she said.

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