Mold: Did It Contribute to Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack Deaths?

on July 25, 2010 at 12:57 PM

When Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack died within months of each other, it was widely suspected that drugs were involved. Then last week a report came out that determined they both died from the same cause -- pneumonia and acute anemia -- which was curious.

Now officials are investigating if mold in their Hollywood Hills home might have played a role in their deaths, according to TMZ.

The site says officials suspected mold after Monjack's death, but Murphy's mother wouldn't let them search the house. She has now granted access, and an investigation is underway.

While it's just a suspicion at this time, it terrifies me to think of some silent killer living in the walls or carpets of one's home. Remember Kirk DeWindt, who Ali Fedotowsky cut after the hometown dates on The Bachelorette, suffered serious illness from mold poisoning as well.

According the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold can cause everything from allergies to asthma. The most important thing you can do to avoid mold is to control the moisture in your home.

They provide a list of 10 Things You Should Know About Mold that contains some interesting facts and good information like how to control the humidity in your house (which can contribute to mold growth) and the fact that it can grow on all surfaces, from wood to paper.

While finding out that mold killed Murphy and Monjack wouldn't make their deaths any easier, it would perhaps bring more awareness to what can be a very dangerous situation for many people.

Have you ever had a problem with mold in your home?

Image via 3pin-tya/Flickr

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: celeb couples, illness, allergies

Comments (5)

Ana1370

on Jul 25, 2010 at 8:32 PM

The medical community is clueless about toxic mold. I am surprised they are even looking into it.

Toxic mold causes much more than allergies. It can cause symptoms of ADD/ADHD, drop in grades, food sensitivities, esp with wheat, corn and peanuts- all of which contain allowable amounts of mycotoxins- or mold toxins- per the FDA. It caused my whole family to be ill, and NO ONE knew what was wrong. Even after I told them we found the mold- they did not know how to treat us. Do NOT underestimate mold. Educate yourself. Dr Schaller and Dr Shoemaker have some of the best info.

Report this comment

Nonmember comment from Dr X

on Jul 26, 2010 at 5:46 AM

Totally clueless. The "allergy and asthma" thing makes me cringe. I wish that were all. It destroys the immune system and destroys nerves including brain neurons. It can affect every body system and organ, sometimes permanently. The carcinogenic, neurotoxic waste produced by the mold can cause virtually any chronic illness known to man. Try brain damage, cancer, immune-mediated diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, recurrence of latent viruses like Epstein-Barr, mental illnesses, cognitive difficulties, reproductive problems including miscarriage, heart arrhythmias, pain anywhere in the body, SIDS, and the horror of chemical sensitivities... where you are forced to live in isolation or possibly in the outdoors b/c of debilitating and life-threatening reactions to foods, natural items, temperature and weather changes, but especially the chemicals that are found everywhere in society, on people's bodies, and even in the materials that are used to build our homes, clothes, and household products. Mold devastates, and those who are not killed directly by it are at very high risk of committing suicide due to the horrible ailments, the low blood flow and inflammation in the brain, and the hopelessness of not being able to get medical help, housing, legal or gov't help, and often even support from friends and families, who often believe the establishments who continue to claim that mold is little more than a nuisance.

Nonmember comment from Mark Richards

on Sep 21, 2011 at 9:30 PM

The dangers of mold cannot be highlighted enough. If it is true that their deaths are connected the mold, the community should be informed and measures to prevent mold must be taught to families that are living in warm and humid conditions. The fact that mold can grow almost on any surface and is airborne makes it even more dangerous. Best advice is to consult a specialist mold removal company to solve any mold problems you have.

Sijai

on Oct 6, 2011 at 7:56 PM

I too, am allergic to mold. I am anaphylactic to molds, mushrooms, blue cheese, brie, penicillin, I am sure you get the picture. I also have a super sensitive nose, a hint of mold anywhere in the house sets it off. We used to have multi millionaire friends who had a handmade beautiful wall to wall rug, which I believe was covered with mold on the bottom. I visited there once and had a headache of a lifetime and could never go back. Such wonderful elderly people who lived in that mold filled home. My ex told them of the mold in the house, they poo pooed him.

You add a cold with the mold and you get a pneumonia you can't get rid of. It could have been the exact culprit for poor Brittany.

Nonmember comment from heather

on Nov 2, 2011 at 3:51 PM

we just found out that we have a serious mold problem in our basement. i have been feeling under the weather (congested, achy, tired, headaches) for the past few weeks but chalked it up to change of NY weather...my husband has been coughing up black phlegm and since he is in construction, we figured it was dust/dirt due to his work environment...now we are worried that mold might have contributed to our symptoms...what type of DR would I see that could thoroughly check me out and make sure that no irreverible damage has been done. My husband was getting nose bleeds frequently and we purchased an air purifier that seems to have helped him. Please any help/info you have is greatly appreciated..thanks!