5 Shocking Facts About Sharon Murphy: The Untold Story Of Brittany Murphy's Mother And The Death Mystery

The name Sharon Murphy has been inextricably linked to one of Hollywood's most enduring and heartbreaking mysteries: the sudden death of her daughter, actress Brittany Murphy. While the star of Clueless and 8 Mile passed away over a decade ago, the conversation surrounding her life and the bizarre circumstances of her passing—and that of her husband, Simon Monjack, just five months later—continues to dominate headlines, especially with new details and reflections emerging as recently as late December 2025.

As the person who was closest to Brittany, and the one who discovered her on that fateful day, Sharon Murphy has remained a central, yet often elusive, figure in the ongoing narrative. She has been both a protector of her daughter's legacy and a controversial voice in the debate over the official cause of death. Here is a deep dive into the life and current activities of Sharon Murphy, revealing the fresh details and the shocking facts that define her story.

Sharon Murphy: A Closer Look at the Biography and Family

Sharon Kathleen Murphy’s life was fundamentally altered by the life and tragic death of her only child, Brittany Anne Murphy-Monjack (née Bertolotti). Her public identity is defined by her role as a fiercely devoted single mother who navigated the complexities of Hollywood alongside her rising star daughter.

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• Full Name: Sharon Kathleen Murphy
• Relation: Mother of the late actress Brittany Murphy.
• Marital Status: Divorced from Angelo Bertolotti.
• Family Life: She raised Brittany as a single mother after divorcing Angelo Bertolotti when Brittany was three years old. The mother-daughter bond was famously close, with Sharon moving to Los Angeles to support Brittany's career.
• Religious Background: She is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
• Key Role in Controversy: She was living in the Hollywood Hills home with Brittany and her son-in-law, Simon Monjack, at the time of both of their deaths.

Sharon's dedication to her daughter was absolute, often described as a co-pilot in Brittany's career. This closeness meant she was not only a mother but a confidante and a constant presence, a fact that places her at the heart of the mystery surrounding the final months of Brittany's life.

1. The Heartbreaking Final Words Recalled in 2024

One of the most emotionally resonant and widely circulated pieces of information in the ongoing discussion about Brittany Murphy’s final hours is the account of her last words, which has been re-reported and highlighted in media outlets throughout 2024.

The Tragic Quote. On the morning of December 20, 2009, as Brittany struggled to breathe, she reportedly uttered a devastating phrase to her mother, Sharon: "Mom, I'm dying; I love you." This chilling statement, later recounted by Sharon and Simon Monjack, captures the sudden, terrifying decline of the young actress's health. It underscores the fact that Sharon was the last person to share a moment with her daughter before the tragedy, forever cementing her role as the keeper of this painful memory.

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The recollection of these final moments, especially as the 15th anniversary of Brittany's death approaches, serves as a fresh reminder of the human cost behind the celebrity tragedy, reigniting public curiosity about the details of that day.

2. The Ongoing 'Toxic Mold' Theory She Championed

The official cause of death for Brittany Murphy was determined to be acute pneumonia, severe anemia, and "multiple drug intoxication" (prescription and over-the-counter medications). However, the narrative took a darker turn five months later when her husband, Simon Monjack, died in the same Hollywood Hills home from nearly identical causes: acute pneumonia and severe anemia.

The Mold Hypothesis. Sharon Murphy, alongside her son-in-law Simon Monjack before his death, publicly suggested that the real culprit was toxic black mold present in the house. They believed that the mold, caused by untreated water damage, had slowly poisoned both Brittany and Simon, leading to the severe pneumonia and anemia that ultimately claimed their lives.

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While the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office considered the toxic mold theory, they ultimately dismissed it as the official cause of death, but the possibility remains a key factor in the enduring "Brittany Murphy death mystery." Sharon has consistently stood by this theory, using it to explain the eerie coincidence of two otherwise healthy, relatively young individuals dying in the same home from the same causes within a short span of time.

3. Her Public Rejection of the 'Poisoning' Claims

The mystery deepened when Brittany’s estranged father, Angelo Bertolotti, commissioned an independent lab to test his daughter's hair, which allegedly showed elevated levels of heavy metals consistent with poisoning. This shocking claim was widely publicized, suggesting foul play was involved in the death of the actress.

A Mother’s Defense. Sharon Murphy stepped forward to vehemently reject Bertolotti's findings and the poisoning theory. In a powerful open letter, she called the claims "shameful" and "cruel," criticizing her ex-husband for attempting to profit from their daughter's death. She maintained that the official coroner’s findings were accurate, and her focus remained on the environmental factors—the toxic mold—rather than a malicious act. Her public stance highlighted the deep rift within Brittany's family and her protective nature over her daughter's memory, ensuring the narrative she controls focuses on a tragic accident rather than a sinister plot.

4. She Is Writing an 'Accurate' Biography of Brittany

Beyond the controversies and tragedy, Sharon Murphy's most significant current project is her attempt to solidify her daughter's true legacy. She announced her intention to write a biography, which she promised would be the definitive, accurate account of Brittany’s life.

Protecting the Narrative. Sharon stated that the book would be an honest look at Brittany's "life, loves, and career," written to counter the tabloid speculation, documentaries, and unauthorized accounts that have sprung up since 2009. The biography is intended to honor the vibrant, talented actress the world knew and to provide a mother’s perspective on the personal struggles and triumphs that preceded her untimely death. While a current release date for the project is not publicly available, the fact that she is actively working to control and correct the narrative is a major focus of her life today.

5. The Hollywood Hills House: A 2024 Real Estate Update

The infamous Hollywood Hills home where Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack died—a house that became a character itself in the death mystery—continues to be a point of public fascination. Sharon Murphy eventually sold the property in 2011, moving on from the site of her greatest loss.

Back on the Market. In a fresh update from 2024, the mansion once again made headlines after being listed back on the market with a staggering asking price of nearly $19 million. The renewed attention on the house brings the entire tragic story back into the spotlight, reminding the public of the physical location tied to the toxic mold theory and the final moments of Brittany Murphy’s life. For Sharon, the sale of the house was a necessary step to move forward, but the property’s continued presence in the news ensures her own story remains intertwined with its dark history.

Sharon Murphy’s life, marked by the immense joy of raising a beloved actress and the profound pain of her sudden loss, is a testament to a mother’s enduring love. As she continues to write her daughter’s biography, she remains the most crucial, and perhaps most guarded, source of truth in the enduring mystery of Brittany Murphy’s death.