Bombshell Brittany Murphy documentary examines the mystery around the young actress' tragic death

New HBO Brittany Murphy documentary looks at the death of the famous actress who died aged 32 in 2009

Brittany Murphy documentary
(Image credit: Jon Kopaloff / Contributor / Getty Images)

New HBO Brittany Murphy documentary, 'What happened Brittany Murphy?' explores the late star's sudden death.

In 2009, Brittany Murphy was found dead in the home she shared with her husband Simon Monjack. An autopsy ruled that the star died from pneumonia, with secondary factors of anemia (iron deficiency) and multiple drug intoxication.

The drugs found in the star's system were over-the-counter prescription medicines and many of her friends and family have since questioned why a healthy 32-year-old would die of pneumonia. 

In the documentary, Brittany's death is explored by her friends and family, giving a picture of her life leading up to her death, by those closest to her.


Who was Brittany Murphy's husband Simon Monjack?

Brittany Murphy had a number of high-profile relationships during her lifetime. The star dated her co-star from Just Married Ashton Kutcher in 2002 and was engaged to two different men before she met her husband Simon in 2007.

Simon was an English screenwriter, film director and film producer who Brittany met when she was only 17. However the pair didn't begin dating until 2006 when Brittany was 29 and he was 34.

Brittany and Simon married in 2007 in a small, private Jewish ceremony in Los Angeles and the pair lived together with Brittany's mother for three and a half years before she died.

Brittany Murphy

(Image credit: Michael Bezjian / Contributor / Getty Images)

Simon Monjack's death

Brittany's husband Simon died the year following the actress. Simon's official cause of death was pneumonia and severe anemia, which was similar to his wife's cause of death just five months earlier.

In January 2010, Simon's mother told People that her son was "unwell, and the doctors are carrying out tests. On whether he has a heart problem, it is not really for me to say, you must ask him, but yes, there have been health problems in the past. I believe it's common knowledge, and it's been in the press that he had a slight heart attack a week before Brittany's death."

Simon and Brittany were buried together at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. 

Which films did Brittany Murphy star in?

Brittany Murphy starred in a variety of films before her untimely death in 2009. Her fame began in the nineties when she landed a lead role in Clueless as Tai Frasier in 1995.

The actress then starred in a variety of different movies and is most known for her roles as Daisy Randone in Girl, Interrupted (1990), Molly Gunn in Uptown Girls (2003), Alex Latourno in 8 Mile (2002), and Sarah McNerney in Just Married (2003).

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy and Alicia Silverstone in Clueless

(Image credit: CBS Photo Archive / Contributor / Getty Images)

When is 'What happened, Brittany Murphy?' on television? 

'What happened, Brittany Murphy?' will debut on HBO Max on October 14. 

However, a UK release date has yet to be confirmed so UK viewers will have to wait a little while longer.

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.