Simon Monjack and Brittany Murphy wearing BCBG Max Azria backstage in the W Lounge during Mercedes Benz Fall 2008 Fashion Week, held in Bryant Park, Monday, February 4, 2008 in New York. Credit: INFphoto.com Ref: infusny-18

Brittany Murphy's body could be exhumed, according to the Los Angeles Coroner's Office.

The actress died in 2009 at the age of 32 and the LA County Coroner ruled it an accident the following year, citing a combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and "multiple drug intoxication".

However, Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter tells Radar Online if new reports of heavy metals in Brittany's system are accurate, her body may be exhumed in hopes of taking fingernail and hair samples.

"While we haven't been presented with the toxicology reports Brittany Murphy's father [Angelo Bertolotti] had done, if there was an indication her death wasn't from natural causes, we would probably exhume the body.

"Her father could also have the body exhumed privately and without a court order," Winter said.

Brittany's father recently revealed he had commissioned an independent report that showed the presence of heavy metals up to nine times higher than those deemed "high" by the World Health Organization.

Winter said his office would need a court order to move forward without Bertolotti's toxicology report.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reportedly said earlier on Tuesday it could also reopen the investigation into Brittany's death if they were provided with "credible evidence" of a homicide, which Bertolotti has suggested.

"Of course, if someone, including Ms. Murphy's father, came to us with credible evidence that her death could have been caused by foul play, the office would investigate it - just as they would in any other case not involving a celebrity," a source within the DA's office previously told Radar.

Brittany's husband Simon Monjack tragically died five months after she passed away.

Online Editors