SIMON MONJACK, WIDOWER OF BRITTANY MURPHY DIES

This is absolutely tragic.  Simon Monjack, widowed husband of Brittany Murphy, passed away last night in the couple's home just five months after Murphy's untimely death.  Monjack had a history of heart problems and the Los Angeles Police had indicated he died of "natural causes", not "criminal activity" or "foul play".  This hasn't stopped many sources and blogs from pointing quickily to his death being the result of a Drug Overdose.  It's cruel that we live in a world in which media still continue to feed off of death instead of respecting life and its fragility.

This is an example of life imitating art.  Monjack's obsession with Celebrity and untimely death was illustrated in his screenplay for The Weinstein Co.'s excellent film Factory Girl (2006).  The film followed the story of socialite Edie Sedgwick and her quick rise to fame.  She was manipulated and used by Pop Art Guru Andy Warhol, the same man who made her a star; she fell subsequently due to drug and alcohol dependency.  Like Sedgwick, both Murphy and Monjack passed away far before their time and were victims of the cruel, ugly side of Celebrity.  To read a non-assuming, less-biased accounting of the incident, click here. (Photo credit: Associated Press)