Sad news. Brittany Murphy, one of my favourite actresses, has died of cardiac arrest. She was just 32-years-old. Entertainment Weekly has a nice photo gallery highlighting Brittany's career here.

RIP.

UPDATE #2 ( 5:30 P.M. Monday December 21, 2009)

TMZ reports:

TMZ has learned Brittany Murphy's autopsy is complete. There were no signs of foul play, we've learned, and there was nothing that pointed to a cause of death. The cause of death has been "deferred" pending other tests. Sources say the L.A. County Coroner will wait for the toxicology report, as well as the histopathology (study of her organs and tissues) and neuropathology (study of her brain). One source said the body appeared "normal." In addition, we're told she did not appear overly thin -- in contrast to some photos that surfaced several weeks ago. There was no evidence of trauma to the body. We're told the Coroner will not determine cause of death until the other reports are submitted -- in 4 to 6 weeks. One issue the Coroner is interested in -- what prescription drugs were in Brittany Murphy's system.

UPDATE #1 (8:10 PM, Sunday, December 20, 2009)

TMZ reports:

Brittany Murphy was very ill in the hours before she went into cardiac arrest and died, sources tell TMZ. We're told Murphy was taking prescription meds for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days. We're told Murphy began vomiting early Sunday morning and told family members she was feeling very ill. Sources say various prescriptions were found in the home -- written for Brittany Murphy, husband Simon Monjack, and Brittany's mom. One source says, "There were a lot ... a lot of prescriptions in the house." Law enforcement sources tell us Murphy collapsed in the bathroom and somehow ended up in the shower ... there was, we're told, a significant amount of vomit in the immediate area. We're also told authorities did not find illegal drugs in the house, but Murphy was definitely taking various prescription meds.

BBC reports:

Actress Brittany Murphy, who starred in films such as Just Married, Clueless and 8 Mile, has died at age 32. The actress died on Sunday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center near Beverly Hills, a hospital spokeswoman has confirmed. The LA Times said Murphy went into cardiac arrest, but hospital sources would not release the cause of death. Murphy was married to British screenwriter Simon Monjack. The couple lived in Los Angeles. READ MORE

Actress Brittany Murphy Dies at Age 32

AP reports:

Brittany Murphy, the actress who got her start in the sleeper hit "Clueless" and rose to stardom in "8 Mile," has died in Los Angeles. She was 32. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Spokeswoman Sally Stewart said Murphy died at 10:04 a.m. Sunday. She would not provide a cause of death, or any other information.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. Sunday from a home that is listed as belonging to British screenwriter Simon Monjack, who is married to Murphy, spokesman Devon Gale said. Gale said one person was transported to a hospital.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy's death, Officer Norma Eisenman said Sunday afternoon. Investigators have been dispatched to Murphy's home in the hills of West Hollywood. Messages left for Murphy's manager, agent and publicist by The Associated Press weren't immediately returned. READ MORE

Brittany Murphy, 32, Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Entertainment Weekly reports:

Brittany Murphy, the star of such films as Clueless and 8 Mile, has died, her publicist and Cedars-Sinai Hospital have confirmed. The cause of death, reportedly, was cardiac arrest. Murphy was 32. “In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support,” the actress’ publicist, Nicole Perna, said in a statement. “It is their wish that you respect their privacy.”

Born in Atlanta, Ga. and raised by her divorced mother, Brenda, in New Jersey, Murphy began her performing career early. She nabbed a singing role at age 9 in Les Miserables and had a manager by age 13. She moved to Hollywood and began racking up appearances in such TV series as Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, Blossom and Party of Five before landing a more permanent gig in 1997 as the voice of Luanne Platter in Fox’s animated hit King of the Hill. The big screen also beckoned with memorable appearances opposite Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, as well as roles in 8 Mile, Girl, Interrupted and Sin City. She kept up her singing, too, having formed the band Blessed Soul in the early ’90s with actor Eric Balfour. READ MORE

Coroner: Brittany Murphy, Dead At 32

Access Hollywood reports:

Brittany Murphy died on Sunday morning, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has confirmed to Access Hollywood. She was 32. The LAPD confirmed to Access later on Sunday that they have opened an investigation into the star’s death.

Just weeks ago, a smiling Brittany spoke with Access at the Tt Collection Pop-Up Party in LA on December 3, where she discussed her hopes for the coming year. “As far as having a New Year’s resolution, I’d love to have a child next year,” she said at the time. “But that’s kind of a large one!”

The actress also spoke of her love for her family, whom she said she was very close to. “I’ve been very blessed to have a really great loving husband,” she said. “I spend more time with my family than anyone else in the world” READ MORE