In a case that has echoes of the scenario surrounding Michael Jackson’s death, the investigation has again involved assistant chief coroner, Ed Winter, in the investigation of another life interrupted by the apparent over prescription of medication.

On 20th December last year the thirty two year old actress, Brittany Murphy, who co-starred in films such as ‘Clueless’, ‘8 Mile’ and ’Girl Interrupted’ went into cardiac arrest and died. It was reported that she’d been found unconscious on the bathroom floor by her mother, who, concerned that her daughter had been in the bathroom for quite a while, had gone to check on her. Her husband, British director Simon Monjack, made an emergency call, following which paramedics arrived at her home and administered CPR while she was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. It was later reported that a significant amount of prescription drugs had been found on her bedside table. A post mortem on her body was reported to have been completed a couple of days later, with the outcome being unavailable until the results of various toxicology and neurological tests were complete.

There was widespread speculation as to the cause of her death, with both drugs and anorexia being mooted. Back in 2005 her gaunt appearance provoked similar rumours of cocaine use and an eating disorder, but the star had vehemently denied these.

Yesterday the post mortem results were issued by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, and confirmed that her death was accidental, resulting from a combination of medical conditions – including community acquired pneumonia and iron deficiency anaemia – and an assortment of prescription drugs. These medications were said to be consistent with the treatment of a cold or respiratory illness. For a week or so prior to her death Ms Murphy had complained of severe abdominal pain and shortness of breath.  Her husband and mother have said that she had a heart murmur and also suffered from extreme menstrual periods.

Earlier in the month there were reports that prescription drugs were regularly delivered to the actress’ home and that there were questions over why Ms Murphy appeared not to have seen a doctor in the months before her death, given the nature of her medical conditions and the severity of the pain she was experiencing.

A full autopsy is due to be published within the next two weeks and it remains to be seen whether further information will yet come to light.