Watch CBS News

Brittany Murphy's Father Sues LAPD, Coroner Over Daughter's Death Investigation

LOS ANGELES (CBS)  — The father of actress Brittany Murphy sued the Los Angeles Police Department and the coroner's office, alleging the investigation into his daughter's death was mishandled.

Angelo Bertolotti filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and is acting as his own attorney.

The complaint alleges neither agency tested the actress's hair for "poisons, toxins or heavy metals."

"Plaintiff ... believes that his daughter's death was incorrectly determined to have been allegedly caused by pneumonia and anemia," the suit states.

Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said he understands why Bertolotti filed the case.

"He's trying to get a resolution to his daughter's death," Winter said.

Murphy became unconscious in her Hollywood Hills home on Dec. 20, 2009, after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Her husband, Simon Monjack, died five months later, also of pneumonia and anemia.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.