Brittany Murphy quickly became one of the most beloved young actresses of our generation when she found success in “Clueless”, “Girl, Interrupted”, “Sin City”, and as the voice of Luanne on the popular Fox animated series “King Of The Hill”. When she died suddenly in 2009 at the age of 32, her fans were heartbroken, and many wondered how someone so young and in seemingly good health could pass so quickly.

It was originally announced that she had died of pneumonia after collapsing in the shower, but rumors quickly spread that she was addicted to drugs and they ultimately led to her death. All along, her father–Angelo Bertolotti–said that the rumors were completely untrue and insisted that something wasn’t right about her death. He requested a test of his daughter’s hair, blood, and tissue to find answers, and now, the shocking results have been released.

Both Murphy and her husband, Simon Monjack–who died five months after Murphy after exhibiting some of the same symptoms she had before her death and was therefore also tested–had extraordinarily high levels of heavy metals in their system, which are commonly found in rat poison.

“Ten (10) of the heavy metals evaluated were detected at levels higher that the WHO [The World Health Organization] high levels,” read the lab report. “Testing the hair strand sample identified as” back of the head” we have detected ten (10) heavy metals at levels above the WHO high levels recommendation. If we were to eliminate the possibility of a simultaneous accidental heavy metals exposure to the sample donor then the only logical explanation would be an exposure to these metals (toxins) administered by a third party perpetrator with likely criminal intent.”

It’s unclear at this time whether Mr. Bertolotti will pursue a criminal investigation, but the revelation of what was in the couple’s systems opens up a whole new batch of questions. For now, Murphy’s father takes comfort in proving that he was right all along about his daughter’s reputation.

“Vicious rumors, spread by tabloids, unfairly smeared Brittany’s reputation,” said Angelo Bertolotti. “My daughter was neither anorexic nor a drug junkie, as they repeatedly implied. Brittany and Simon were ridiculed by The Hollywood Reporter, when they complained of being under surveillance and in fear for their lives. I will not rest until the truth about these tragic events is told. There will be justice for Brittany.”

Image: Wikimedia Commons