The Fate of Brittany Murphy’s Home: Exploring Its History After Her Passing

Brittany Murphy attends the premiere of ‘Across the Hall’ at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Dec. 1, 2009; A view of the outside of Brittany Murphy’s home in Los Angeles on May 24, 2010.
Credit:

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage; David McNew/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Brittany Murphy died at her Hollywood Hills home on Dec. 20, 2009
• The Clueless star bought the estate from Britney Spears in 2003
• Murphy lived with her husband, Simon Monjack, who was later found dead on the property, and her mother, Sharon Murphy, with whom she purchased the home

The Hollywood Hills home of Brittany Murphy, who tragically passed away on December 20, 2009, just days before Christmas, is steeped in a history that predates her untimely death at 32. After experiencing flu-like symptoms, the actress collapsed in the bathroom, prompting a response from paramedics. The Los Angeles County coroner later determined that Murphy’s death resulted from pneumonia, compounded by anemia and a mixture of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Just five months later, her husband, Simon Monjack, was also found dead at the same residence.

Despite the passage of time, the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths remain shrouded in mystery. The couple’s home, purchased by Murphy from Britney Spears in 2003 for $3.85 million, has become synonymous with their tragic story. Rumors have circulated about the house potentially contributing to their untimely demises, with Spears herself reportedly experiencing unsettling encounters while living there, a sentiment mirrored by Murphy.

This article delves into the significant history of Brittany Murphy’s home and what occurred after the couple’s deaths.

How long did Brittany Murphy live in her home?

Brittany Murphy arrives at the grand opening of Victoria Jewels in Beverly Hills, Calif., in 2003.

J. Merritt/FilmMagic

Murphy moved into the West Hollywood estate in 2003, where she lived with her mother, Sharon, after purchasing the fully furnished property from Spears. The actress resided in the home for just under six years before her unexpected collapse in 2009.

Prior to Murphy’s purchase, the property also served as a residence for Madonna.

Who else lived in the home with Brittany Murphy?

Simon Monjack and Sharon Murphy during a photo shoot in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 13, 2010.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Alongside her mother Sharon, Murphy shared the home with husband Simon Monjack, whom she married on the premises in May 2007. It was Sharon who called 911 when Brittany collapsed after several days of illness. Although emergency services responded swiftly, Murphy was pronounced dead after being transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The subsequent autopsy by Dr. Lisa Scheinin, who appeared in a two-part HBO Max docuseries about Murphy, determined pneumonia as the primary cause of her death, describing it as “severe.”

Monjack, a British filmmaker with a history of health complications, also died at the residence on May 23, 2010. His death was attributed to acute pneumonia and severe anemia, similar to Murphy’s circumstances.

Was there mold found in the home after Brittany Murphy’s death?

An aerial view of Brittany Murphy’s home in May 2004.
MB Pictures/Shutterstock

Following Brittany’s death, speculations arose suggesting that mold in the house may have contributed to the couple’s demises. However, the medical examiner’s office dismissed such claims in 2010. Linda Monjack, Simon’s mother, continued to promote this narrative, claiming her son had identified “severe mold” prior to his death and asserting he had experienced hallucinations, further complicating the public’s understanding of their tragic story.

Was Brittany Murphy’s home haunted?

A view of Britney Spears’ and Brittany Murphy’s former home in October 2020.
Alamy

Both Britney Spears and Brittany Murphy reported feelings of unease in the home located atop the Sunset Strip. During her time in the house, Spears recounted a harrowing encounter that prompted her to leave and never return. This story was further elaborated in a podcast episode featuring Spears’ former makeup artist, who claimed that a Reiki session had inadvertently opened a “spirit portal,” leading to terrifying experiences for the pop star.

While Brittany did not assert any encounters with spirits, she expressed her own discomfort with the home. According to interviews conducted in 2011, Monjack revealed that Murphy often wished to avoid the property, believing it to be “unlucky.” Plans were reportedly in place for the couple to relocate to New York and start a family, a move that Monjack indicated was anticipated by both.

Despite this desire for change, the bathroom where Murphy ultimately passed became a sanctuary for her, where she often spent time engaging in personal activities that brought her joy.

What happened to Brittany Murphy’s home after her death?

Brittany Murphy poses for a portrait at the Tt Collection pop-up party in L.A. on Dec. 3, 2009.

Michael Bezjian/WireImage

Before her marriage, Brittany had a will establishing that her estate would be inherited by her mother, Sharon. Following Brittany’s passing, the estate gained notoriety as the site of both her and Monjack’s mysterious deaths. Sharon sold the property in July 2011 for $2.7 million, significantly less than the $4.99 million asking price, indicating difficulty in attracting buyers.

In 2013, the original structure was demolished, and developers sought to create a contemporary mansion on the site. By 2017, the property was sold for $14.53 million, transformed beyond recognition. Recent records indicate additional sales and renovations, with the home listed again in July 2024, continuing to draw public interest.