Large amounts of prescription drugs were found in Brittany Murphy’s bedroom when paramedics were called to her Los Angeles home on Sunday, a law enforcement source close to the investigation into the 32-year-old actress’ sudden death confirmed to Fox411.com Tuesday.
"A check of the nightstands revealed large amounts of prescription medication in the decedent’s name," TMZ first reported after reviewing what they say were notes made by an investigator from the L.A. County Coroner’s office. "Also noted were numerous empty prescription medication bottles in the decedent’s husband’s name, the decedent’s mother’s name, and unidentified third party names."
Fox411.com can exclusively report that investigators are focusing on Murphy’s drug use, and that the working theory of her cause of death is accidental overdose, according to the law enforcement source.
Investigators are waiting to see what combination of drugs was in her system, and if other non-prescription drugs are revealed in the toxicity report, the source says.
Heroin and cocaine are among the drugs being tested for because of reports of Murphy’s alleged past abuse of both, the source adds.
The Los Angeles County Coroner did not respond immediately for a request for comment.
However, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told Fox News that they did not find any illegal drugs in Murphy’s residence.
He also said his office is investigating how TMZ obtained their information on the Murphy investigation.
"We are looking into possible discipline for whoever leaked information from her autopsy report," he told Fox News. "I cannot confirm the list of prescription drugs on TMZ.com’s website, but I can tell you that they do have a partial report, and that’s a problem, because the notes for this report were on a secure hold."
Source: Fox News
