Brittany Murphy’s husband on her death: ‘my world was destroyed’

Photo by: RE/Westcom/starmaxinc.com ©2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3/19/08 Brittany Murphy and

Brittany Murphy’s husband of two years, screenwriter Simon Monjack, 39, has spoken out about his wife’s sudden unexpected death. Monjack told Access Hollywood that his “world was destroyed” when Brittany passed so suddenly and later added that she was sick with laryngitis but that he didn’t think it was serious. He also praised Ashton Kutcher’s tweet about Brittany’s death, and called it “comforting”:

“My world was destroyed yesterday,” an emotional Monjack told Access Hollywood on Monday afternoon.

Following the news of the actress’ death at the age of 32 on Sunday, the Hollywood community offered an outpouring of love and condolences for Murphy – and one message, in particular, was very moving to Monjack.

“I loved what Ashton [Kutcher] wrote on Twitter. It was comforting to me,” Monjack told Access Hollywood, adding he did not know his wife’s former “Just Married” co-star personally. “I couldn’t have said it better.”

The message posted by Ashton read, “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.”

As far as what happened inside the actress’ home early Sunday, when Murphy was found unresponsive in the shower, Monjack said up to that point, it had just been “a regular day.”

“[Her mother] Sharon went into the bathroom because she had been in there a long time. Her mom screamed for me and I ran. Then called 911,” he revealed.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call from the home at 8 AM on Sunday and eventually transported Murphy to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She was pronounced dead at the facility at 10:04 AM.

While LA County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told Access Hollywood the actress’ death “appears to be natural at this time” on Sunday, an autopsy was being conducted on Monday to determine the exact cause of death.

With regards to the coroner noting she may have suffered from flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death, Monjack admitted Murphy had been sick – but it did not seem like it was anything serious.

“She had laryngitis,” he said, noting she had seen a doctor. “She had been tired at the end of the year. She had made a couple movies.”

In his interview with Access, Monjack – who married Murphy in 2007 — took exception to the idea that his wife may have been linked to people who were bad influences on her.

“I don’t know why anyone would think that,” he said. “She found love. We found love. Brittany didn’t get to where Brittany was with anyone controlling her… Brittany was Brittany.”

[From Access Hollywood, link has automatic video]

In terms of the kind of goofy, some say insensitive, message that Ashton wrote after Brittany’s death, I think that people who knew Brittany might interpret it differently. It does seem kind of flippant to say “see you on the other side, kid,” but it’s also hopeful that you’ll be with the person again. Murphy was a really positive and upbeat person and she probably was “sunshine” in her husband’s life. You can imagine that remembering the good things about someone is comforting, especially after such a shock. I never know what to say to people after a tragedy and can’t fault Ashton for trying.

There’s a lot of focus on Brittany’s husband and his shady business dealings. I honestly don’t think the guy had anything to do with her death and by most accounts he was madly in love with her. Sure, he was a con artist in his way but there’s no reason to jump to the conclusion that he had anything to do with her death. He did initially object to an autopsy, but he and Brittany are Jewish and autopsies are considered desecration of the body under Jewish law.

If there’s more to this story we’re sure to hear about it, and the police are on the case. An initial investigation points to some kind of accidental death with no sign of foul play. TMZ just uncovered Brittany’s will and everything goes to her mom so it’s not like Monjack had anything to gain in her death.

Monjack may have been an enabler, however. There are stories about how he would show up drunk on set as Brittany’s handler, wreaking havoc and costing his wife roles. Late last month, Monjack was rushed to the hospital after he was found incoherent on a plane arriving at LAX. Brittany’s on set behavior was said to have been “bizarre” and people were whispering about drug use. In an appearance on the Late Late Show in April of this year, (link leads to video) Brittany talked in a faux British accent and seemed loopy and high strung. She was coherent though and still funny.

According to TMZ, there were multiple prescription drugs found by Brittany’s bedside. As Kaiser reported earlier, an initial autopsy has been completed and the coroner is waiting for the results of toxicology tests. It’s looking like some kind of accidental overdose, just like Heath Ledger’s death. I’m just hoping that all these sad, high-profile deaths of young people will help bring awareness to the dangers of mixing prescription drugs.

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43 Responses to “Brittany Murphy’s husband on her death: ‘my world was destroyed’”

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  1. trollydolly says:

    Havoc – not havok

  2. yae says:

    That husband of hers gives me the creeps.

  3. Dorothy says:

    I felt like a horrible person for laughing so hard at her stupid accent on the Craig Ferguson clip. What was she thinking?? And then she said she was from NJ!!! Clearly she was not in a good place and hard terrible self esteem.

  4. fizXgirl314 says:

    what exactly about this guy gives people the creeps? I mean, I agree he’s unattractive, but does anyone know of any wrongdoing on his behalf? I keep hearing that this guy is “shady” and even hear of people accusing him of “foul play”, but seriously, what the hell does it all mean? Are you all just judging him cuz he’s fat or because he’s actually conducted himself poorly? You guys know that’s wrong right? I mean, I assume they teach you in preschool… not saying you can’t agree he’s sweaty and fat but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad person… :/

  5. SeVen says:

    @fiz – There were reports a while ago that he was a known con man. I dont know if there are any truth to those rumors but i suppose they were enough to plant seeds in peoples minds about him. I’ve never really liked him or the seeming influence he had on Brittany but I wont accuse him of anything.

  6. teehee says:

    “was” destroyed???
    … personally I would be saying/feeling IS destroyed, if the love of my life died…

    just sayin…

  7. Reno says:

    well… I didn’t know them until early this month. They lost a flight from LAX to Puerto Rico because he was so drunk that the pilot said he had to be out for the plane to leave. They got to PR the day after and they were a mess. In his contract for the movie there was a clause that he had to stay in the trailer and not show on set. First day of the movie he throws a tantrum because he didn’t like the trailer they gave her while she was saying “honey its all right” but he kept at it. Finally she goes to set and an hour later he shows up on set drunk after repeated attempts by the production to stop him. Right then and there and in front of the whole crew the director said “Simon you know you’re not supposed to be here, Brittany I’m sorry but you’re fired and this is a wrap guys”, and they finished the first day without shooting a single frame of film.
    She needed help and instead she ended up with this guy that finally destroyed her…….

  8. KL says:

    What a deuche bag

  9. Peach says:

    I’m incredibly weirded out that he took time out of his day…right after his wifes death…to talk to Acess Hollywood. Of all fucking outlets. And bad timing too.

    I’m not sayin he did anything. But I am sayin that this is not normal behavior for a grieving spouse. I’d be interested in seeing the video. See what his face looks like when he’s talking.

    If anything, he might have just put himself on investigative radar.

  10. ganjagirl says:

    wreaking havoc

  11. stinabelle says:

    I believe it’s “wreaking havoc.”

    I’m still sad about Brittany 🙁

  12. BigCat says:

    Talk about marrying up, this guy is as loathsome as they get. What a load!!! Brittany was one of the funniest actresses around. She must have been blinded by drugs because love would not be enough to get anyone to see this guy in any other light.
    Thank God she had the sense to leave everything to her mom.

  13. Miss Thang says:

    That video is so embarassing I can’t even stand to watch it. Wasn’t her husband born in GB though? Maybe listening to it all day it starts to catch on. I’ve never heard him speak, so I don’t know.

    Also glad she left everything to her mom.

  14. IceKitty says:

    @fizXgirl314

    Here is an article I came across today. This is way many people get the creeps…ASIDE from the fact that yes he is gross and sweaty.

    http://www.movieline.com/2009/12/factory-girl-director-on-murphy-husband-simon-monjack-a-con-man-and-a-bad-guy.php

  15. CrystalJ says:

    This mix of rx drugs is not new. My aunt died of this in 2006. She didn’t overdose, or take too many, she took EXACTLY what was perscribed to her by the SAME doctor. He gave her sleeping pills with pain meds that put you to sleep and lower your heart rate. She died the first dose.

    Unfortunately, it’s just docs today aren’t taking time to pay attention. You go to a doctor and they just want to write scripts to get you out, instead of listening and treating the problem, they treat the symptoms. I went to a doc with my mother, who had tons of problems, he’d been her reg doc for a couple of years, and instead of trying to find out what’s wrong with her, he sends her out of the office with eight scripts for pain, sleep, swelling, etc… I wouldn’t let her fill them until we saw another doc, turns out she has lupus and CHF. She only needs three scripts.

  16. crash2GO2 says:

    Reno, that is interesting and heartbreaking.

    If someone I loved died suddenly it would be extremely hard for me to think about them being cut up on an autopsy table. I think objecting to an autopsy is very normal behavior and is only being publicized because everyone thinks the guy is a creep. He probably is, but I doubt he had anything to do with her death. JMO.

  17. GatsbyGal says:

    I still can’t imagine why she was with this guy…

    Maybe she has daddy issues and he looks like her dad.

  18. Lucy Loo says:

    Brittany’s husband is Jewish but she was not. She was listed as a non-denominational practicing Christian in her professional bio and to the best of my knowledge she never converted to Judaism. Just because they were married in a Jewish ceremony doesn’t mean they were both Jewish. There are plenty of Reform Jewish Rabbis who will officiate at mixed marriages.

  19. brenda says:

    GatsbyGal…exactly what I thought. I know her dad wasn’t really in her life so that could explain why she was with this dude.

    Since she had the will drafted before she married this guy, it doesn’t mean her mom is going to get everything. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a legal battle between this creep and her mom for her assets.

  20. ng says:

    Reno: wow what a story. I read that she had been taken off the Puerto rico film shoot, but I can’t believe it was because of her husband. That is so sad and heartbreaking. It seems these 2 incidents (the other movie she was taken off of) might have sent her into a downward spiral…I feel bad for her.

  21. karen says:

    god ppl leave the man alone.hes suffered a loss n is hurting rt now.i hurt for him.a good man lost his love of his life n thats trajic.let him greve in pease n solitude.i dont uusualy write on these celibrity sites but i feel so sad for this man i had to speak out.GOD I HATE PAPERATZI

  22. Kayleigh says:

    So is there a drug going around that has the side effect to give you a British accent?

  23. lucy2 says:

    I too find it odd behavior for someone who JUST lost their spouse. A statement from a publicist I can understand, but talking to Access Hollywood? Strange, IMO.

    I find it odd that everything he’s said has contradicted every other report. People mag has comments from him saying she didn’t care about body image, had high metabolism and had to try to put on weight, no prescription meds, etc. Everyone else who knew her pretty much has said the opposite, and it’s been reported that meds were found.

    For her mother’s sake, I really hope he didn’t have anything to do with her death, and I hope there’s not a battle for money.

  24. Eleanor Megan Taras says:

    Brittany, you were taken too early from this world, your laughter echoes in my mind and I see your cute little face when I close my eyes. I’ll always remember your sweetness and loving heart.With tears streaming down my face I wish you GodSpeed to Heaven and May God hold you close to his Heart as his little Lamb. He truely gave all of us a beautiful, talented Angel just 4 a little while.For some reason he needed you in Heaven more. My heart is with your family and all who loved you. We all feel stunned & empty today-the sun isnt shining,its hiding its tears behind the clouds. RIP Little Angel.<3u

  25. IceKitty says:

    @karen

    Yeah, he’s hurting because he hopes the police and or coroner find nothing linking him to her death. They may have been madly in love, but something in the water isn’t right about this story. He has already been caught lying about medications in their house…
    I don’t like him one bit.

  26. Annoyedwithpeople says:

    1. leave the poor man alone people. I agree he isn’t good looking, and I don’t get why she was with him. But love is love…
    2. If you want to leave replies and comments…try learning how to spell correctly because nobody wants to read something that doesn’t make sense. It’s obnoxious looking at incorrect spelling. [[trajic -> Tragic. Greve->grieve. Pease -> Peace. etc]]

  27. cyndi says:

    So sad! I don’t know anything about her husband, but I live in California so I know it’s a community property state, so will or no will, he will get at least half of whatever money or assests she aquired since they have been married. I read somewhere that Brittany was a diabetic, I wonder if maybe she was insulin dependent, if that had anything to do with her death? Diabetes can cause all kinds of other health problems. Anyway, I feel sorry for the loss her family is feeling.

  28. Holly says:

    Why does the media have to always put a negative on something? This girl died and there should be tributes up instead of “trying” to find a juicy story. She was beautiful, talented, and always seemed like a ray of sunshine. Yes we do want to know why she died but lets remember her for the person we all knew and most loved including myself. If there wasn’t love in her marriage I really don’t think she would have stayed with her husband. By all accounts her husband was just waking up when her Mom found her and screamed to call 911. This man did not kill Brittany Murphy. Why all of a sudden is there so much negativity about him? Because the media is trying to boost ratings that’s why. To her husband, mother, family, and friends you have my condolences and know she is in a safe place where ever that may be. Brittany I will miss you.

  29. Jason says:

    I will miss this beautiful, wonderful shining star of a woman. We will all miss and love you forever Brittany.

    Jason Gaines

  30. Kevin says:

    KL,,what is that? A German handbag?

  31. joshua says:

    has anybody looked into if he was blackmailing her too. its just fishy that she would be into a man like him.

  32. Brutal says:

    Young people, good people, and people loved and adored by many … all die unexpectantly every day. When this happens to a regular person, it is no less a tragedy than when it happens to a famous person. It would serve everyone well to think about that.

  33. wiliam rhoads says:

    Well i think that she loved him for what ever reason mabye she was enabler and didnt know it or choose to live with it. the scene coming on the set drunk and her getting fired sounds like he was jealous of her success and fame and felt left out or something. as far as the her death there were no apparent signs of foul play and it can happen a massive cardic arrest is very low survial rate and time is of the essence of life and death even at such a young age, one thing that concerns me is that she did have any brusing if she was standing in the shower,so that would suggest she got down there and it happened i wont make a judgement till the tox screen comes back, either way it doesnt matter a young talented women was lost far too soon and i hope and pray for the family for peace and love and i hope that she is in a better place

  34. Elise says:

    This story makes me feel so sad. She seemed like a really sweet person who took up with a bad man. IF he had anything to do with her death, then I hope he fries. He seems like a total leach.

    Rest in peace, Brittany. You were definitely an interesting actress, person and deserved better. Love–E

  35. Squirtle says:

    They seem very in love in the pictures.

  36. Danielle says:

    Since Karma is the law of the Universe whatever his true intentions are will be what comes back to him so nobody has to worry if she’s been wronged or taken advantage of except him, if that’s the case. And if it’s not the case, she will I’m sure be watching over him from Heaven, because that’s gotta be where somebody that sweet surely must be now.

  37. murphious says:

    Like others here, I find it improper for the widower to be granting interviews a couple/3 days after his wife’s death. A short press release would be fine for now. Nice sentiment on behalf of Mr. Kutcher, but c’mon, a Tweet? Twitter is for fluff, not hard news–it’s a social network not a news network.

  38. Miss Thang says:

    LOL @ Kevin. That’s how I read it, too!

  39. Michelle says:

    They seemed very in love and to pick on this man at this time of terrible loss is unforgivable! I’m sure she saw a lot in him that the general public didn’t… that’s why she married him. And to bitch about his gammar and spelling…. Give it a rest people!!!

  40. Cindy says:

    I just wanted to say that she married a man she must have loved. That was her decision. Just cause he didn’t look a certain way didn’t matter to her. She does look happy in the pics of her and her hubby together. And he isn’t that unattractive. Why do people care about the idiotic things that don’t matter? I feel badly for her husband who is obviously shocked and grieving. My heart goes out to her husband and family. God will look after her. My daddy died of a heart attack at age 46, more than 20 yrs ago… he will watch over her. I asked him to. Praying for yall.

  41. Cheryl says:

    I’ve known Brittany Murphy since I worked with her on Clueless and continued to be acquainted with her over the past several years. She is a lovely young woman, full of grace, kindness and was a ray of sunshine on every movie set or charity event that I’ve ever encountered with her. I’m deeply saddened and shocked by her death. I’m also angry at the insensitive comments left by some anonymous people accusing her of drug abuse. Brittany has had health issues in the past. Before everyone jumps to conclusions, can we just wait until the autopsy results are in? Can we please allow the family to grieve? Authorities agree that it “APPEARS” that she died of natural causes. I would ask that posters please show compassion. I would ask that people be respectful of the family, especially her fantastic mother, Sharon. My prayers go out to Brittany and her loved ones during this horrible tragedy. God bless you Brittany, you are already tremendously loved and missed.

    Respectfully,
    Cheryl Shuman

  42. Reno says:

    I just say I witnessed what happened in Puerto Rico and immediately understood why her career wasn’t where it was supposed to be with all her talent. That guy was very hard to deal with for the production companies and screwed every deal that she had with his demands and erratic behaviors.

  43. Alexa says:

    It’s not Mr. Monjack’s “LOOKS” that people are criticizing. (Give us a little credit.) People dislike him because his reputation is that of a very untrustworthy, disrespectful, demanding, self-centered and anti-social person. Those types of people are unhealthy to be around and usually difficult to get out of one’s life.

    I find the few posters who feel so passionate about defending this guy suspicious. Do you know him perhaps?