Friends of Hollywood actress Brittney Murphy have said she “definitely had a drug problem” very similar to that of pop legend Michael Jackson as it is feared that she may have been taking the same prescription drugs that killed him.

Brittney Murphy was found unconscious in the shower by her mother in the early hours of Sunday. The paramedics on arrival determined that she was in cardiac arrest and started CPR on her. Murphy was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10.04am local time.

The 32 year old actress became a household name among teens in 1995 as the sidekick in Clueless. Murphy also starred in such films as 8 Mile alongside Eminem, Sin City and Girl Interrupted. Murphy died with 5 movies in production including comedy Shrinking Charlotte.

Murphy, 32, was reportedly hooked on prescription drugs, including Vicodin, after a series of plastic surgery operations made her dependent on painkillers.

According to The Sun a friend said “We have been very worried something like this was about to happen,” she added “Brittany has been living life on the edge. She definitely had a drug problem and we have all begged her to seek help. Sadly our words fell on deaf ears.”

Murphy’s father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he was told about her death from his son, and was shocked.

“She was just an absolute doll since she was born,” Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. “Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her — people that made movies with her, people on a cruise — they all loved her. She was just a regular gal.”

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said the cause of Murphy’s death appeared “to be natural”.

Tributes were quickly posted on social networking site, Twitter, with Hollywood celebrities among some of the first to send condolences.

Ashton Kutcher, who dated Murphy and starred alongside in Just Married said on his blogger page: “2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon. See you on the other side kid.”

Singer Jessica Simpson wrote: “Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of Light to so many people. Her smile was contagious. My prayers are with her family and loved ones.”

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian said: “I am in shock that Britney Murphy has died! Clueless is my all time favorite movie. My prayers go out to her family & husband.”

Limp Bizkit singer Fred Durst: “RIP Brittany Murphy. What a sweet human being. My prayers are with her friends and family.”

See the interview of Brittany Murphy on The Dead Girl
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See Brittany Murphy’s photos

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