(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Actress Brittany Murphy’s mother is bringing forth a new lawsuit.  She claims it was black mold that killed her daughter.

Murphy died in 2009 - she was 32. Rumors swirled that her death was the result of a drug overdose.  But an autopsy revealed she died of cardiac arrest brought on by a deadly mix of pneumonia, severe anemia, and  prescription drugs. Then, her husband, 40-year-old screenwriter Simon Monjack, died just five months later of the same things -- pneumonia and severe anemia -- and he had no drugs in his system, making their deaths all the more mysterious.

Now, TMZ is reporting that Murphy’s mother, Sharon, who tragically found both Brittany and Monjack’s bodies, says their deaths were caused by black mold in the house the couple lived in. TMZ writes:

“Sharon alleges she was duped by her lawyers into giving up her rights to sue the builders for wrongful death. … Sharon says her lawyers convinced her to accept a settlement.”

And on KDVR, a reporter for TMZ explains what Sharon wants.

“After looking more and more into this, she realizes this black mold is what she believes killed Brittany, killed Simon. Now she’s suing her lawyers for giving her bad legal advice, and she wants to be able to go after the construction company to recover some of those damages.”

But CelebGossip.com says the case’s history might prove problematic for Sharon.

“The coroner was aware of Sharon’s hypothesis … however he didn’t believe that the mold played a part in Brittany’s death. Also, Brittany’s house was tested for mold two months before her death. Simon received the results that the house was safe … "

And a writer for Gather sees Murphy’s mother’s side, but worries she won’t be able to support it in court.

“It is unusual for a woman so young to die of pneumonia. And when her husband, Simon Monjack, died the same way, someone should have taken note. But proving the mold in the house's walls caused two deaths is a difficult issue.”